An Antrim man who was caught with drugs has been given a seven-year suspended sentence and banned for life by Judge Kieran O'Connor from returning to the Republic.
David Ralston (35), an environmental engineer, of Town Parks North, Antrim, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to importing amphetamines and cocaine on January 21st, 1996.
Det Garda Maura Walsh said Ralston had £15,000 worth of amphetamines concealed in a beer can and £1,200 worth of cocaine in his underpants when searched in Clontarf.
Judge O'Connor said drugs importation was a serious offence and people like Ralston were not welcome in this jurisdiction. He would be jailed for the seven years if he returned to the Republic.