A 27-year-old man has been jailed for six years for for supplying cocaine to a party which led to the deaths of two Waterford men in December 2007.
Anthony Connolly, of Priory Lawn in the Ballybeg housing estate in the city, pleaded guilty to the possession of cocaine for sale or supply at a party in Ballybeg Square in November 2007. Connolly also pleaded guilty to the simple possession of the drugs at the Circuit Criminal Court in Waterford city this afternoon.
Kevin Doyle, an electronics student at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) from Viewmount, and John Grey (23) became critically ill and later died after ingesting both cocaine and ecstasy at a party in Mr Grey's family home in the early hours of November 25th, 2007.
Mr Doyle died at Waterford Regional Hospital on December 4th, while Mr Grey died at the hospital four days later.
The charges arise from a party that began on November 24th, 2007, at the Ultimate Bar on High Street, to celebrate Mark Grey's 21st birthday.
Alcohol and ecstasy were ingested by some party goers at this location, according to Detective Garda Paul Murphy in court today.
Connolly, who suffers from learning difficulties, appeared at the court yesterday for supplying the drugs to the party at Ballybeg Square.
Under questioning from counsel for the defence, Aine Swift (BL), Det Garda Murphy outlined how a "large number of people" went back to the Grey's family home at Ballybeg Square at about 12.30pm on November 25th.
During the night a witness said a large number of drugs arrived at the house. The court was told party goers were consuming quantities of cocaine, amphetamine, "magic mushroom soup", and ecstasy.
Large quantities of drugs were introduced into the party and "offered around freely", Det Garda Murphy told prosecuting Barrister, Noel Whelan BL.
"People started to react badly," the court heard. Mr Doyle and Mr Grey lapsed into a coma and neither man regained consciousness.
Nine paramedics tended to the sick party goers, while 11 were taken to Waterford Regional Hospital. Gardaí and paramedics who attempted to make their way upstairs to tend to one of the stricken individuals, were met with aggression, said Det Gda Murphy.
Det Gda Murphy said that Connolly was arrested on his release from hospital and was interviewed on five occasions before ultimately co-operating with investigating gardaí.
Connolly told gardaí he had seen cocaine being buried at the parochial church attached to St Saviour's Church, about six months prior to the party.
However, the person "never called back" for the drugs, Connolly told Det Gda Murphy. The drugs were then dug up, moved to another location and stored in a disused microwave oven, it emerged.
Connolly told Det Gda Murphy that the drugs, which he described as "dirty white stuff", were distributed at the house. "We ate it like animals," Connolly told him.
Sentencing Connolly, Judge Rory MacCabe extended his sympathies to both Grey and Dolye families.
Connolly received a nine-year jail term for sale or supply, with the last three years suspended, while a charge of simple possession of the drugs was taken into consideration.
"This is a very serious and a very grave offence," Judge MacCabe told Connolly.
