Man found with just under €5,000 worth of drugs was ‘not a foot soldier’

A garda has told a court that a man found with just under €5,000 worth of drugs was “not a foot soldier”, reports Decloan Brennan.

Jake Higgins (24) of Knockmore Drive, Tallaght, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of possession of drugs for sale or supply at a place in Tallaght on November 11, 2024.

Garda Michael Brislane told Simon Matthews BL, prosecuting, that Higgins was carrying a backpack and seemed to be behaving in a furtive way. When approached by gardai he ran and tried to discard the bag.

He was caught and the bag was recovered and had ketamine with a street value of €3,642 and MDMA with a street value of €1,260.

There was also a weighing scales in the bag.

Higgins told gardai that the drugs were for his own personal use but later entered guilty pleas to the drug dealing charges.

Asked by Judge Martin Nolan what his view of the defendant’s role was Garda Brislane said “he wouldn’t be a gillie he’s not a foot soldier”.

Judge Nolan said he was taking into consideration Higgins’ lack of previous convictions and the fact that he is employed.

He suspended a prison sentence of two years on condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour.