Courts / Dublin / Report

Former youth cycling champion jailed for cocaine possession

Date
2014-12-17
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Tallaght
County
Dublin

Summary

Jonathan Byrne, a 33‑year‑old former national cycling champion from Tallaght, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possession of cocaine. He pleaded guilty to possessing the drug for sale or supply at Belgard Heights on 31 October 2013. The court found him caught red‑handed, with Gardaí discovering two bags of cocaine, a suspected tick list and two weighing scales during a search of his rented accommodation. Byrne admitted selling the drugs to a few people but claimed he made no money and used most of it himself. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a two‑year sentence, suspending the last 18 months on the condition that Byrne remains drug‑free and keeps the peace for two years. He was also found to have a substantial drug debt of €15,000 and had previously received a six‑year sentence with two years suspended for an arson offence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former youth cycling champion jailed for cocaine possession. Charges or matters: possession of the drug for sale or supply at Belgard Heights, Tallaght on October 31, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: Jonathan Byrne (33) told the court that he was his own best customer because of a "huge addiction" to the drug. CNI source report

Case subjects

Jonathan Byrne

Defendant

Charges: possession of the drug for sale or supply at Belgard Heights, Tallaght on October 31, 2013 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She suspended the last 18 months of a two year sentence on condition he remains drug free and keeps the peace for two years.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Secondary Mention

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request