Stokes given jail sentence over Dublin cocaine seizure

Former Republic of Ireland footballer Anthony Stokes has been handed a 15-month jail sentence over a seizure of almost €4,000 worth of cocaine and a high-speed car chase in Dublin.

The ex-Celtic and Sunderland player, who was over the alcohol limit, drove at 160 km/h and nearly collided with another motorist shortly after midnight on 6 January 2023.

Judge Grainne Malone handed down the jail sentence at Dublin District Court and imposed a five-year driving ban after it emerged that Stokes failed a recent drug test.

However, Stokes lodged €1,000 and was released on appeal bail shortly after the judge imposed the sentence.

The retired footballer, of Summerhill Place, Dublin 1, had also entered an additional guilty plea to possessing 86 illegal street tablets in Cabinteely, south Co Dublin, about ten days after the traffic pursuit, which the judge regarded to be an aggravating factor, and she refused to suspend any of the sentence.

Last month, Judge Malone had adjourned sentencing Stokes, 36, for a treatment report to prove he is off drugs, but it found he still had traces of cocaine in his system.

Defence solicitor Lorraine Stephens said her client was young, fit, and healthy and asked the judge to consider a community service order.

Ms Stephens said the father-of-three had been in denial about his problems, "is trying to battle his demons," and could need intensive psychological assistance and "proper residential treatment".

Judge Malone said Stokes could have faced up to two years' imprisonment. However, she gave him credit for his guilty pleas and imposed sentences totalling one year and three months.

Finalising the case, she noted the evidence about the nature of his driving, the speed and length of the chase, the fact that he was uninsured, and the low alcohol reading, and she added that the drug offences were very serious.

He pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cocaine hidden in a sock, and having the drug for sale or supply.

At his previous hearing, the judge heard how his drink issues spiralled into cocaine addiction when his football career ended.

Stokes admitted driving while over the alcohol limit and four counts of dangerous driving during the pursuit from the Naas Road to the Phoenix Park.

The ex-Premier League star also admitted not producing a driving licence and not having motor insurance.

Garda Radoslaw Konczewski recalled observing the ex-footballer speeding on Walkinstown Avenue at around 12.20am. The officer activated his patrol car lights, but Stokes failed to stop and continued to the Long Mile Road junction, "which he entered at speed, breaking a red light".

Stokes drove to the Naas Road, broke another red light at a major junction and continued to Ballyfermot Road, breaking two pedestrian red lights and one at a junction.

He continued to Kennelsfort Road Upper, broke a red light, and "almost collided with a car on the Chapelizod bypass".

The accused, who had a passenger in the car, went to Knockmaroon Road and stopped at the closed gates of Phoenix Park. Stokes abandoned the vehicle but was caught following a short foot pursuit.

The car chase lasted about 10 minutes.

Garda Konczewski estimated that Stokes reached a speed of 160km/h at some stages and around 140km/h when he drove through Ballyfermot village.

Gardaí brought his car to Crumlin Garda Station. Cocaine worth €3,700 was found in wraps inside a sock, kept in the air vent on the driver's side. His DNA was also found on the sock.

The court heard he also provided a urine sample, which was over the alcohol limit, but he was "fully cooperative" and "he was a pleasure to deal with".

Stokes had one prior conviction in this jurisdiction for assault causing harm in 2013, which resulted in a suspended sentence and a €30,000 compensation order. The judge noted he also had a record of failing to turn up to court and has spent time in custody in another jurisdiction, but details about that were not available.

In the mitigation plea, Ms Stephens said he had been a talented footballer scouted at the age of 14 from Cherry Orchard Football Club in Dublin by Arsenal in London. He began playing for Sunderland when he was 17 and went on to more success with Celtic in the Scottish league.

However, he had laboured under addiction from a young age.

His adoptive parents moved over with him to help their son pursue his dreams, but after he turned 16, he began abusing alcohol. That problem progressed at the end of his career to cocaine abuse, which he was "heavily using at the time of this incident".

The court also heard that he reacted badly to the end of his career.

The defence said Stokes also developed gambling problems but was featured in a documentary highlighting difficulties and mental health difficulties for up-and-coming footballers without parental supervision at a very young age. A second male is also before the courts in relation to the drug seizure.