A financial services worker who rented two apartments in Dublin in which cannabis valued at approximately £6 million was processed for distribution has received a five-year suspended sentence from Judge Yvonne Murphy.
David Ryan (26), of Mountain Villas, Church Road, Killiney, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to conspiring with two others to possess cannabis for sale or supply between March 1st and August 31st, 1998.
Ryan was arrested at Dublin Airport on his way to England in March 2000.
He told gardai that he was approached by a former school friend and asked to rent two flats in his name where cannabis resin could be prepared for distribution.
The court heard that Ryan did not profit to a great extent and was co-operative when interviewed.
Det Garda Noel Clarke, of the Garda National Drugs Unit, gave character evidence on behalf of Ryan because he is a good friend of his father, whom he described as a very hardworking, honest man.
Garda Clarke said Ryan had shown great remorse. He got the impression that Ryan had been easily led.
Dr Brian McCaffery said he formed an assessment that Ryan was clinically depressed following the drowning of two of his friends in November 1997. Ryan was particularly close to one of the men who had died. Both had the same date of birth and they had grown up together almost as twins.
Mr Michael O'Higgins, defending, said Ryan came from an impeccable background but had experienced some difficulties during his adolescence. The depression he suffered after the death of his friends was probably what led him to commit the offence.
Judge Murphy accepted that Ryan was unlikely to offend again, that he had been fully rehabilitated and that he did not pose a threat to society.