RECORD JAIL TERM FOR 'TOP 10' DRUG DEALER

A former Jesuit student slated as a top member of Ireland's ``filthy''
drugs industry was yesterday handed a 22-year jail term the heaviest
in the history of the State.

Edward `Judd' Scanlon (49), of Laburnum Drive, Model Farm Road, Cork,
received the sentence after being convicted on March 4 in Cork Circuit
Criminal Court of having pounds 20,000 worth of Ecstasy and pounds
15,000 worth of cocaine with intent to supply on March 20, 1997.

The 49-year-old was only convicted after two off-duty gardai stumbled
across the Cork drugs deal and a prosecution witness braved attempts
by Dublin drug gangs to intimidate him out of giving evidence.

Judge AG Murphy described Scanlon as ``remorseless'' and an
incorrigible criminal who had prior convictions for drug possession in
both the UK and the US.

Judge Murphy stressed that Scanlon had not shown ``one scintilla of
remorse'' throughout the trial and had fought the case ``tooth and
nail'' despite being caught red-handed by Detective Inspector John
Quilter, head of Cork's Drugs Squad, and Detective Sergeant Mick
Fitzpatrick.