Westport-based drugs dealer gets jail term

A 39-year old Westport-based drugs dealer was sent to prison by a judge today (Wednesday).

Judge Rory MacCabe was told at the Circuit Criminal Court, sitting in Castlebar, that Patrick Pearse Coyle, with an address at Lower Carrowbeg, Westport, was caught by gardaí in possession of cannabis with a street value of just over €16,328.

Detective Sergeant Jim Caden of the Divisional Drugs Unit said a search at Coyle's house on foot of a warrant had been concucted following the receipt of confidential information that the man was in possession of cocaine and cannabis which he was selling in the Westport area.

Initially, the accused had attempted to exit the back door with bags of cannabis, Det. Sgt. Caden said.

The court heard that Coyle, who pleaded guilty last October to the possession of cannabis with intent to supply, has been a drug user for 22 years.

He told gardaí at the time of his arrest that he built up a debt of €10,500 for drugs supplied to him.

Pleading for leniency, barrister Diarmuid Connolly said that Coyle, a carpenter, now unemployed, is suitable for community service.

However, Judge MacCabe said he saw no alternative to an immediate prison sentence.

He commented that the accused was in the business of selling drugs, one of the most serious offences on the statute books.

The judge then imposed a five-year prison sentence with the final two and a half years suspended.

He ruled that Coyle get treatment for his addiction while in prison.

The court made a destruction order in respect of the drugs seized.