A STUDENT who was described as one of Athlone's "big drugs, dealers" between 1991 and 1993 has been jailed for three years. Brian Thornton (28), a mineralogy student, of Aghnameen Park, Dundalk, Co Louth admitted possessing £1,500 worth of amphetamine (speed) for supply on February 23rd, 1994.
Thornton told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that he knew where to go to get drugs for fellow students at Athlone RTC but he denied making money from it.
He told his counsel, Mr Seamus Sorohan SC, that he had been abusing alcohol and cannabis at a terrible rate. He now realised the gravity of what he had done but he didn't then.
He had been given the amphetamine by an acquaintance and he planned to use most of it himself and supply the rest to friends.
Judge Kieran O'Connor said he had a duty to protect young people. Drugs held a mystique for young people and Thornton had been dealing in a school for young people. He said he would review the sentence in December 1997.
Garda William Byrne said Thornton's main companions, when he came under Garda notice, were Athlone's heroin dealers. He was a student for up to six years where courses normally ran for three or four years. Garda Byrne said he and other gardai set up surveillance outside a pub after he got confidential information about a person called "Brian" selling drugs there. The pub was opposite the RTC.
Three people confirmed that a person answering the description given to him was selling drugs in the pub. When Thornton came out he was arrested. He became aggressive and gave his name as "Brian Johnson".
Garda Byrne said Thornton gave two wrong addresses in Athlone but his key enabled gardai to enter a room where he was staying. The amphetamine was found there.
Garda Byrne said Thornton had a previous 1993 conviction under the name "Brian Johnson" in Galway where he was fined £100 for possession of drugs. Gardai from Galway came to Athlone to confirm that Thornton was the person, they knew as "Brian Johnson".