A former director of the Irish Aviation Authority, who was also a Labour Party general election candidate in a previous election and member of Shannon Town Commissioners, has admitted having a large quantity of cocaine for sale or supply.
Thomas O'Shaughnessy (38), of Finian Park, Shannon, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the unlawful possession of the drugs on October 2nd, 2001.
Judge Elizabeth Dunne remanded him on bail for sentence on May 30th.
Mr Erwan Mill Arden SC, for O'Shaughnessy, asked Judge Dunne to consider adjourning the sentence hearing until November because his client was in the middle of a year-long rehabilitation course at the Bushy Park Centre, Ennis, Co Clare.
Mr Mill Arden said O'Shaughnessy was a cocaine addict and had only come into trouble with the law in his later life.
Judge Dunne said she was reluctant to adjourn the case for so long without hearing the evidence and put the case in for May 30th when she said Mr Mill Arden can renew his application once that part of the case has been heard.
O'Shaughnessy faces a possible minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years as the value of the drugs exceeded €12,700.
He was a member of the board of directors of the Irish Aviation Authority for two terms. O'Shaughnessy was also a member of Shannon Town Commissioners from 1995 to 1999 when he did not seek re-election.