Life of former underage player for Cork City and Ireland spiralled after brother's death, court told

The court heard the defendant had benefitted from being in custody for the last number of weeks

He pleaded guilty to possession of €100 of cocaine and €25 of cannabis at Grand Parade, Cork. File picture: Denis Minihane

A young man who won All-Ireland titles for boxing and played soccer for Cork City and for Ireland at a very young age, saw his life spiral out of control when his brother was killed in a car crash for which there were criminal prosecutions against a number of people.

Solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher said Tony Dolan had a very difficult time following the death of his brother.

The solicitor said 31-year-old Tony Dolan of Hollyhill Heights, Hollyhill, Cork, had benefitted from being in custody for the last number of weeks.

“Apart from keeping him busy he is an enhanced prisoner. He is hoping to come back into soccer coaching when he comes out of prison,” Mr Kelleher said.

Judge Mary Dorgan directed preparation of a probation report while he is in prison and adjourned sentencing until April 28 for that purpose.

Asked if he would co-operate around the preparation of that report, the defendant told Judge Dorgan that he would.

He pleaded guilty to possession of €100 of cocaine and €25 of cannabis at Grand Parade, Cork, on September 6, 2025, against a background of multiple convictions.

The defendant’s 16-year-old brother was killed in the criminal incident on the road in May 2010.