A CARLOW drug dealer has been jailed for four years after a court heard ecstasy abuse has developed into a major problem since the rave culture arrived in the town in 1993.
Oliver Keating of St Mary's Park, who was caught with 41 ecstasy tablets, was "very much involved" in the Carlow ecstasy scene, Det Garda Paul Moran told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Keating (20), pleaded guilty to having ecstasy for sale or supply on February 24th 1995. The tablets were worth a total of £820, Judge Kieran O'Connor was told.
Det Garda Moran told prosecution counsel Mr Fergal Foley that Keating's home was put under surveillance. A number of young people were searched as they left the house but none was found to have drugs.
The surveillance operation continued for some time before Keating was seen walking in the direction of gardai. When he realised who they were he threw two bags over a wall.
The bags were recovered and Keating was arrested. In the Garda station he made a statement admitting his guilt. He claimed he had bought the drugs for £300 in a Dublin nightclub.
Judge O'Connor suspended the final two years of the sentence.