A former Ballymun drug dealer came into unexpected contact with a garda, a court heart yesterday. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Det Garda Michael Moran had kept John Murphy (20), of Craigue Court, under surveillance at a block of flats. Det Garda Moran and Garda William Tobin hid on the roof of a lift while Det Garda Patricia McGarrity searched a flat Murphy had visited. Murphy was heard to say "the stuff" was hidden behind the lift buttons just before his hand was grabbed by Det Garda Moran.Murphy admitted having 40 ecstasy tablets for supply on February 9th, 1995, at Coultry Road.Mr Conor Devally BL, prosecuting, was told that Murphy claimed to gardai he was being paid £100 "to mind" the drugs. Ms Isobel Kennedy BL, defending, noted that Judge Carroll Moran had remanded Murphy on bail for sentence after hearing from his employer he was a good worker. Murphy had not come to Garda attention since.
He received a two year suspended sentence.