No conviction
after ecstasy tablets seized

By Eimear Cotter

A FOOTBALL coach who was caught with ecstasy tablets after his car was stopped by gardai has avoided a conviction after he made a substantial donation to charity.

Stephen Cummins (29) was asked to source the tablets by a relative because he believed the defendant could get them "through other players on the football team".

Cummins, a salesman and married father of two, previously accepted his behaviour was very foolish.

He had begged a judge to leave him without a conviction, saying he needs garda clearance in his job.

Judge David McHugh struck out the charges, leaving Cummins without a conviction after he donated €2,000 to Blanchardstown Hospice.

The defendant, of Kilshane Road in Finglas, had admitted before Blanchardstown District Court to possession of ecstasy as well as having the drug for sale or supply.

The incident took place at Finglas Garda Station on January 10 last.

Sergeant Mary Doherty previously said gardai stopped Cummins driving a 2005-registered vehicle.

He was searched and found with 244 ecstasy tablets.

INTERVIEWED

Sgt Doherty said the tablets sell for between €8 to €10, giving the drugs a street value of between €1,952 and €2,440.

The sergeant said Cummins co-operated fully with officers and was candid when he was interviewed.

The court heard that Cummins has never been in trouble before.

Defence solicitor John O'Doherty said a relative of the defendant was going on holidays and he approached Cummins asking him if he could get ecstasy tablets.

Mr O'Doherty said Cummins is involved in sport, and the relative believed he would be able to get ecstasy "through other players on the football team".

He said the defendant, who doesn't even drink, realised he had made "an appalling mistake" and had put his future employment prospects at risk.

Mr O'Doherty said Cummins is active in his community in a positive way and he has qualifications in coaching and first aid.

He is involved with a football club and trains an U15 team.

Mr O'Doherty said the donation had been made to Blanchardstown Hospice.

Striking out the charges, Judge McHugh said he had taken into account the defendant's service to his community.

hnews@herald.ie