Soccer coach fined for drug possession at Kings of Leon concert

A soccer manager with 15 previous convictions who was caught with a bag of synthetic cocaine at a Kings of Leon concert has been fined €350.

Fining John Cunningham, Judge Bridget Reilly noted that Fianna Fáil county councillor David McGuinness had written a letter on his behalf concerning a taxi licence.

The court heard that Cunningham has 15 previous convictions and wants to apply for a taxi licence.

Cunningham (30), Dromheath Avenue, Mulhuddart, Blanchardstown, admitted to possession of PVP at Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, on July 4th, 2014.

Det Gda Gavin Cooke told Tallaght District Court he had been on undercover duty at a Kings of Leon concert in Marlay Park last July when he observed Cunningham dropping a bag of white powder on the ground.

He said he approached Cunningham who told him that the powder was cocaine. Det Gda Cooke said he later sent the powder for forensic analysis and it turned out to be PVP, otherwise known as pyrrolidinopentiophenone.

Det Gda Cooke said Cunningham has 15 previous convictions.

At the District Court on June 29th, 2007, he had a conviction for possession of drugs. Cunningham also has previous convictions for larceny, a three month sentence for possession of articles, and two previous for possession of drugs.

Cunnigham’s defence lawyer, Gabrielle Dean, said her client had not been in trouble for the last eight years and has applied for a taxi licence. She said Cunningham was not working.

She said Cunningham is a team manager with Blanchardstown United Football Club and produced a letter from David McGuinness.