A cocaine addict who fell into debt to a dealer has been jailed for seven years by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possession of £1.25 million of ecstasy tablets and cocaine at a hotel on Pearse Street, Dublin.
Philip Griffiths (20), of Rafters Road, Drimnagh, pleaded guilty to possession of £500,000 worth of ecstasy tablets and up to £750,000 of cocaine on March 3rd, 2000.
Mr Barry White SC, defending, said Griffiths was not in charge of the operation and only ranked as number two of three people involved. He had used his time in custody to wean himself off cocaine. Judge Elisabeth Dunne said that due to legislation her hands were fettered in matters such as these but she did not want "Griffiths to be sacrificed as a lesson to others".
Judge Dunne said that in certain circumstances the court could have regard to matters such as a plea of guilty, the degree of co-operation, his previous good character and his age. He had also given up cocaine. "It makes me sad to see someone of his age come to the court on such a serious matter," she said and set the case down for review in October 2004.
Griffiths told Judge Dunne he was awarded £15,500 compensation in 1998 and drifted away from his job. He lived off his award and then moved on to abusing cocaine. When he had spent his compensation money he incurred a debt with his cocaine supplier. "When I ran out of money he put it on the slate and I was then approached by this person to bring drugs from one point to another as part payment for my debts and continuing addiction," he said.
Sgt Seamus Boland, Pearse Street Garda station, told Ms Iseult O'Malley, prosecuting, that entry had to be forced into a room in the hotel. Five gardai had observed two men in the room and as they entered they saw Griffiths walking away from the window. A blue holdall was spotted in the car park outside and brown packages were found in it.