Roofer got into drugs as business went bust

Brendan Smith (35) had bought the cocaine to share with his friends and was not selling the drug or trying to make any money from it.

Judge John Coughlan fined Smith €1,000 and warned him to keep away from drugs.

The defendant, of St Mark's Avenue in Clondalkin, admitted before Blanchardstown District Court to possession of cocaine as well has having the drug for sale or supply.

The offence, contrary to the misuse of drugs act, took place at his home on August 21, 2012.

Garda John McWeeney said gardai obtained a search warrant and searched the defendant's home. During the course of the search, cocaine with a street value of €2,000 was found.

The court heard Smith has seven previous convictions, mostly for road traffic matters.

Defence lawyer Jennifer Jackson said Smith had bought the cocaine in bulk and planned on sharing it with his friends.

Ms Jackson said Smith completed his Junior Certificate and then qualified as a roofer. He also spent some time working as a roofer in the United States.

She said Smith had his own company, and was doing well but the company went bust during the recession.

Ms Jackson said Smith, a father of two, also separated from his partner around the same time he lost his business, and he started dabbling in drugs.

She said Smith is now back working as a roofer and he hasn't been in trouble for nearly two years.

The court also heard Smith co-operated fully with gardai and made admissions in relation to the cocaine.

hnews@herald.ie