COCAINE, CANNABIS DEALER IS FREED

A former Blackrock College student who borrowed pounds 5,000 to buy cocaine
from New York has been given a five-year suspended sentence by Dublin
Circuit Criminal Court.

Robert Kelly (22), of Laburnum Road, Clonskeagh, admitted having cocaine
worth over pounds 20,000 and cannabis resin for sale or supply on July
19th, 1997. The court heard that Kelly became addicted to cannabis but was
now involved in treatment and in helping other addicts. He also spoke in
schools against drugs.

Judge Patrick McCartan said the maximum sentence for drug dealing was life
imprisonment which was the same for murder. He told Kelly there was a link
between the two crimes "because people like you deal in death".

The courts had to deal severely with drug-dealers and send out that message
but he was prepared, in view of the evidence given on Kelly's behalf, to
take a chance with him, even though he might be criticised for doing so. He
bound Kelly to keep the peace for five years and told him he would serve
the five years if he was ever in trouble again.

Garda Fergus Twomey told Mr Gerry O'Brien, prosecuting, that the cocaine
was found concealed in a video box when gardai raided a flat at Windsor
Court, Lower Pembroke Street.

Some pounds 1,500 cash was also recovered in the raid. Kelly admitted he
had been dealing in cannabis for some time, making about pounds 20 an ounce
profit. He said he abused cocaine every three months or so had been smoking
hash daily for some time.

He borrowed pounds 5,000 as well as investing pounds 3,500 of his own money
so that a friend could buy cocaine in New York. He made a contact to try to
sell on the cocaine to dealers but his contact returned the cache and said
the quality was not good enough.

Mr Gerard Power, an addiction counsellor, told Mr Martin Giblin SC,
defending, that contrary to popular belief it was "very possible" to become
addicted to cannabis. The substance was not the primary factor in
addiction. It was the effect it had on an individual.

Mr Power said Kelly was under treatment from him three times daily for the
past 16 months and had gained great insights into his problem.

Mr Giblin said Kelly was relieved the gardai arrested him because it got
him off the treadmill of dealing with people he wanted to get away from.