Bodybuilder given prison sentence after Waterford gardaí find cocaine in home search
Waterford Courthouse. Photo: Joe Evans
A bodybuilder has been given a six-month prison sentence after gardaí found €1,000 of drugs in his home.
Michael Quinn (29) of Georgestown, Kill, Waterford was before Judge John Cheatle at Waterford District Court charged with possession of drugs with the intention to sell or supply on October 20, 2024.
Sergeant Michael Hickey told the court that the drugs unit executed a warrant at the defendant’s home and found cocaine to the value of €1,000, as well as €745 in cash.
They also found other associated items, which were seized, and the defendant was arrested.
The defendant had eight previous convictions, including for possession with the intention to sell or supply, and drug driving.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Ken Cunningham said the offence date was 14 months ago and his client had not come to garda attention since.
He said his client had a cocaine problem that “brought nothing but trouble to his door” and that he had “greatly struggled” to kick the habit.
“He has lived a life of chaos, much to do with this substance,” said Mr Cunningham.
The defendant had since “turned it around” and is now a weightlifter with some, but unstable work, his solicitor told the court.
Mr Cunningham said that while the drugs were valued at €1,000, his client paid a lot less and the offence was on the lower end of the scale.
However, Judge Cheatle said he did not see it that way and that the gardaí “do not look for search warrants for no reason”.
He said the defendant’s last conviction "should have been the wake-up call” and that the offence was too serious not to impose a custodial sentence.
Judge Cheatle imposed a six-month prison sentence and fixed recognizance on the defendant’s own bond of €200.
The matter was a triggering offence for an outstanding suspended sentence, but the judge said he would not activate it.
All other charges were taken into consideration, and the judge granted a destruction order for the drugs.
The cash was forfeited to the state.
