Gardai caught man dealing drugs by the Royal Canal

A MAN was caught dealing drugs by the Royal Canal when gardai saw him getting a hidden ziplock bag from a hole in a ditch and selling it to a man.

Craig Doyle, aged 21, was separately arrested for dangerous and drug driving following a garda chase in which he went through several roundabouts the wrong way before mounting a kerb.

He was sentenced to two months in prison, as well as being given another three-month suspended sentence and four-year disqualification from driving.

Judge Colm Roberts also handed down fines but said they were payable forthwith, with shorter concurrent prison sentences in default for Doyle, who was already in custody when he appeared in Blanchardstown District Court.

Doyle, with an address at The Paddocks Way, Lucan, pleaded guilty to charges including dangerous driving, drug driving and having no insurance or licence. He also admitted two counts of possession of cannabis with intent to sell or supply.

Sergeant Walter Sweeney said the drugs offences happened at the Grand Canal in Clondalkin on May 2 and 10 last. In the first incident, Doyle was under garda surveillance when he was observed walking down a ditch and taking items from a ziplock bag that was concealed in a hole in the ground.

He opened it and gave it to a man who was walking past, receiving money, Sgt Sweeney said. Gardai saw this happen several times and arrested Doyle. The accused was in possession of cannabis valued at around €400, and €160 worth of ecstasy.

He was stopped by gardai in similar circumstances on the later date and  had cannabis worth €1,100 on him. The driving incident happened on the night of March 17 last year, when the accused failed to stop for gardai.

In the pursuit that followed, Doyle drove the wrong way around roundabouts at Fonthill Road and Coldcut Road, Sgt Sweeney continued.

The car mounted a kerb and stopped at the M4, where the accused was arrested. He provided a blood sample at Clondalkin garda station.

Doyle’s only previous conviction was for theft.

Defence solicitor Catherine Dowling said Doyle had been through a difficult time after his uncle passed away. The accused developed addiction issues but was now trying to get his life back on track and his girlfriend was pregnant.

This was Doyle’s first time in custody and it had been a “shock” for him, Ms Dowling said, asking the judge for leniency.

He had a job in road traffic management waiting for him on his release from custody.