A Dublin man who sold ecstasy to ease his family's financial problems has been fined £1,000. Patrick Byrne, of St Cronan's Court, Swords, was given three months to pay the fine or serve 90 days in default. He had no previous convictions.
Byrne (24), single and a full-time roofer, pleaded guilty before Judge Dominic Lynch at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having the drug for sale or supply at Main Street, Swords, on May 4th, 1997.
Byrne had admitted he had been abusing the drug for about two years but began selling it only some months before being caught to ease family problems. He was in full-time employment and had not come under Garda notice again.
Judge Lynch said he could not ignore the seriousness of drug dealing but he also had to take into consideration the Supreme Court's recommendations on the objectives of sentencing, including rehabilitation.