A DRUG dealer who fled to Spain and was later caught on foot of a European arrest warrant has been given a three-year suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Kevin Power (29), of Mountain Villa, Ballybrack, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, cannabis and MDMA for sale or supply at Royal Terrace East in Dún Laoghaire on February 18th, 2005.
Judge Martin Nolan noted he had been brought back on a European arrest warrant and “deserved time in custody for running from the law”.
He noted Power had spent time in custody since his arrest and took into account his plea of guilty and previous conviction record.
Garda Paul Mooney told Damien Colgan, prosecuting, a search was carried out after receiving information drugs were being sold at Royal Terrace East.
He said the total value of the cocaine, MDMA and cannabis resin was €13,932. When arrested, Power answered all questions put to him, saying he was a drug user and had a drug debt. He said if he gave names he and his family would be in trouble.
Garda Mooney said “panic set in” and Power, who has four previous convictions, fled to Spain where he was homeless for a while and “living hand to mouth”.
He was arrested on December 20th, 2010, and Garda Mooney said he met him in Madrid on January 7th this year and brought him back to Ireland.
Garda Mooney said Power “had quite a substantial drug addiction” and was in “a very high category of addict”.
He agreed with James Dwyer, defending, that Power had a debt of €10,000 and had a €300-€400 a day cocaine habit.
Garda Mooney agreed Power “won’t come to the attention of gardaí again”.