Member of Dublin drugs network gets 7 years

A member of an inner city drugs network has been jailed for seven years by
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Mark Byrne did not have "the monopoly on brainpower" in the network, which
was run by two of his close relatives, one of whom lives in a Spanish
villa, the court was told.

Byrne (26) of Coburgh Place, off Seville Place, Dublin, admitted possession
of cannabis resin valued at [pounds] 40,000 for supply on March 23rd, 1996,
and possession of cocaine on the same date, at an address in Sheriff Street.

Det Sgt John O'Driscoll told Ms Melanie Greally, prosecuting counsel, that
there was sufficient cannabis to manufacture 38,950 cannabis cigarettes,
which would have a street value of £40,000.

Two quantities of cannabis were found in cavity blocks at the back of the
house. The largest amount was found in a haversack buried under a coal
bunker in the back yard. A smaller quantity was found in a coal bucket.
Witness said the cocaine was found in a washing machine. Gardai had gone to
the premises to search for cocaine.

Det Sgt O'Driscoll said Byrne was a member of a significant inner city
drugs distribution network run by some relations.

He agreed with Mr Brendan Grehan, defence counsel, that Byrne took full
responsibility for the drugs found and exonerated the female tenant, with
whom he had some form of relationship.

Judge Kieran O'Connor noted Mr Grehan's "eloquent plea" for his client, but
said cannabis was an introductory drug, which too often led users to hard
drugs such as heroin.

The judge said Byrne could have the balance of his sentence suspended in
October 2000 on condition that he was proven to have been drugfree for one
year.