A Limerick man who was transporting cocaine valued almost €140,000 for a notorious local criminal has been jailed for six years.
Robert McInerney (23), of O'Dwyer's Villas, Thomondgate was caught at Dublin Port after arriving in his jeep from Wales with almost 1,994 grams of cocaine and other drugs paraphernalia on September 10, 2005, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.
Garda Johnny Brady said McInerney admitted doing the drugs run because he owed some €10,000 as a result of his chronic addiction. He was too fearful to name the thug who "owned" the drugs and claimed he did not know where the drugs were destined to be delivered.
McInerney also had €3,450 cash but denied it was his fee to transport the cocaine. He said he had the money to buy tools for himself and his brother. He had no previous convictions.
Judge Desmond Hogan noted that the legislation provided for a sentence ranging from a minimum 10 years to life imprisonment but the court could have regard to mitigating circumstances in coming to a decision.
He was satisfied that circumstances in this case allowed him to exercise discretion and he would leave "some light at the end of the tunnel" for McInerney through suspending the final two years of the sentence on conditions including that he attend a drugs treatment course.
Judge Hogan directed the forfeiture of the drugs and cash but gave the defence a month to apply for its return.