HEROIN-WITH-PINTAS CITY SCAM

They looked just like ordinary milkmen but they carried a deadly cargo.

The three men worked for a Dublin drug gang, using mobile phones to take the
orders for drugs and delivering heroin on their rounds.

Yesterday each of them got a five-year, suspended sentence. A carpenter who
prepared the drugs got the same sentence.

Garda Christopher Elliott said the milkmen were recruited by the gang after
their businesses fell into financial difficulties.

Judge Elizabeth Dunne, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, described the
roundsmen as ``a very unusual group'' to come before the courts on a drug
supply charge.

Peter Joyce (27) of Abbotstown Drive, Finglas, William Kenny (50) of Collins
Avenue, Whitehall, Brian Kenny (30) of Mitchelstown Cottage, Kilshane Cross,
Finglas and Peter Kiernan (42) of The Court, High Park, Drumcondra all
admitted possessing heroin with intent to supply at High Park in February 1998.

Garda Elliott said Kiernan, Joyce and Brian Kenny worked as milkmen in the
Drumcondra and Finglas areas for many years. Kenny's father William became
involved (in the drug scheme) in an attempt to clear his gambling debts.

Gardai who raided Kiernan's house in Drumcondra found the other three inside
as well as pounds 2,700 worth of heroin, pounds 3,000 cash and spoons used
to divide the drug.

Witness agreed with defence submissions that all four were unlikely to
reoffend and had shown great remorse.

Judge Dunne said the four had been extremely naive. It was clear from their
statements to gardai they had wanted to stay in the drug trade only a short
time.

She bound each of them to the peace for four years.