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 January 6th last year.
He was jailed by Judge Grainne Malone at Dublin District Court today after it emerged that he failed a recent drug test.
The retired footballer also entered an additional guilty plea to possessing 86 illegal street tablets in Cabinteely, South Dublin, about 10 days after the traffic pursuit, which the Judge regarded to be an aggravating factor and she refused to suspend any of the sentence.
Stokes - of Summerhill Place in Dublin 1 - was supported in court by his girlfriend and mother and showed no emotion as the judge jailed him and imposed a five-year driving ban.
He lodged €1,000, however, and was released on appeal bail shortly after the Judge imposed the sentence.
Last month, Judge Malone had adjourned sentencing Stokes (36) until today for a treatment report to prove he is off drugs, but it found he still had traces of cocaine in his system.
Anthony Stokes outside the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin, 20-1-16. Image: PA Images / AlamyDefence solicitor Lorraine Stephens said her client was young, fit and healthy and asked the Judge to consider a community service order.
Ms Stephens said father-of-three Stokes 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.
Dangerous driving
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 12.20 am.
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 where 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".
A second man is also before the courts in relation to the drug seizure.
Reporting by Tom Tuite
