A former coach to the Irish youth international soccer team has been ordered to serve 240 hours of community service in lieu of a five-year jail sentence for his role in providing a "safe house" in a £400,000 drugs operation.
Thomas Haughey (39), married, Bayside Square North, Sutton, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two charges of possessing cocaine and ecstasy for sale and supply at Donaghmede Shopping Centre on February 6th.
Garda Dave Gallagher said Haughey was involved in coaching the Irish youth team and players and also Edenmore Football Club at the time. His involvement in coaching has since ceased.
Two co-accused have already been dealt with by the courts.
Garda Gallagher told Mr Justin Dillon, prosecuting, that Haughey was caught when gardai intercepted one of the other people involved and answered a call on her mobile phone inquiring into her delay in meeting him to hand over the drugs.
Haughey was arrested at the entrance to the shopping centre and found to have 10 individually wrapped deals of cocaine valued at £800 in the lining of his jacket.
Garda Gallagher agreed with Mr Brendan Grogan, defending, that Haughey ranked third to the other co-accused in his involvement. His role was to provide a "safe house" to hold the drugs.
Mr Grogan asked Judge Elizabeth Dunne to consider that she was dealing with a man who had given major time to coaching and had since been excluded.
He said his client was unlikely to re-offend and that the offence had occurred during financial hardship. He had succumbed to actions that were entirely out of character.
Judge Dunne said Haughey had allowed himself to be used in a chain of drug-supply but she took into consideration the view of gardai that he was unlikely to re-offend.
He was ordered to remain under the supervision of the probationary service.
