A man who was paid €500 for "holding" almost €41,000 worth of cocaine has been jailed for seven years by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Robert Lawlor (21), of Temple Gardens, Santry, pleaded guilty to the possession of the drug for sale or supply and handling a stolen vehicle on July 1st, 2004.
Det Garda Tom Barber told Damien Colgan BL, prosecuting, that a search of Lawlor's apartment led to gardaí finding a set of keys in his jeans pockets.
One key was found to be that of a Mini car worth €17,000, which was known to be stolen. The second was for his postbox, where 584.5g of cocaine worth €40,995 was found.
Det Garda Barber agreed with Caroline Biggs BL, defending, that Lawlor was holding the cocaine for someone else. He further agreed that one of Lawlor's previous convictions was for selling drugs when he was only 17.
Lawlor also pleaded guilty to handling a stolen Alfa Romeo and to dangerous driving on August 25th, 2004, committed while he was on bail.
Judge Hogan sentenced him to five years in prison for possession of the cocaine but suspended the last two on condition that he kept the peace and was of good behaviour for a period of four years.
Judge Hogan also sentenced him to two years consecutive to the five years on the stolen car and dangerous driving charges.