A Portmarnock man who was caught with ecstasy tablets has been ordered to do 50 hours' community service in Dublin's north inner city, an area which, a judge said, had been devastated by drugs.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told that Sean Whelan's case had originally been adjourned to January 1998, but he wanted it finalised because he planned to live abroad.
Whelan (24), originally from Portmarnock but with an address at Customs Hall, Gardiner Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty to having 44 ecstasy tablets and 20 slimming tablets for supply in a bar on October 6th, 1995.
Garda Angela Willis, of Store Street, said Whelan was arrested after some people were placed under surveillance. The defendant claimed he had been selling drugs as "an easy way to make money" for five to six weeks before his arrest.
Judge Kelly described the public house as a "trendy Dublin bar" and said this was just one of many cases to come before him involving members of the "cosy middle classes". He listed the case for mention on October 7th, and ordered Whelan to undertake 50 hours' community service.