A man who ran a cocaine "cottage industry" at his home has been given a two-year prison sentence by Judge Katherine Delahunt at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Gareth Enright (22), Moyglass View, Lucan, Co Dublin, an English national, pleaded guilty to possessing the drugs on February 2nd.
Judge Delahunt said it was clear Enright was "running a cottage industry" after hearing that the cocaine had been prepared for sale with a mixing agent and that drug paraphernalia was found hidden in his bedroom.
She accepted that he took full responsibility for the drugs, had co-operated with gardaí and was addressing his own cocaine addiction by undergoing a drug treatment programme.
Judge Delahunt sentenced Enright to two years in prison but suspended the last 12 months on condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years on his release.
Garda Emer McDonagh told Martina Baxter, prosecuting, that it was estimated that the cocaine seized was worth €20,000 but Enright had admitted adding a mixing agent which would have increased the market value.
Enright admitted that he had been selling drugs for four weeks and had made up a number of €100 bags at the weekends. He said he made enough money to pay off some debts and have some left over for himself.
William Galvin, defending, told Judge Delahunt that Enright got involved in the operation because of his own addiction and debts he had built up.