Hurler jailed for five years over €750k cocaine stash

A TALENTED hurler caught bringing more than €750,000 worth of cocaine into Dublin Airport from Brazil has been jailed for five years.

Cian Leahy, 26, wrote a letter of apology to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in which he described how, during his time on remand in Cloverhill Prison, he had seen the damage done by drugs and was grateful that the cocaine he was transporting never hit the streets.

Garda Nicola Duffy told Karl Finnegan BL, prosecuting, that Leahy, who had travelled from Brazil via Paris, was stopped by customs officials acting on confidential information, and a search revealed packages concealed in the lining of four rucksacks. The total amount of cocaine discovered weighed 10.9 kilograms and had a value of €763,000.

Leahy initially told gardaí he had been in Brazil on holidays and was approached by a man in a bar who asked him if he wanted to make some extra money. However, he later revealed that it was not a chance meeting, and that the purpose of the trip was to transport the cocaine. He was to be paid €10,000.

Leahy represented Cork at underage and minor level and won an All-Ireland medal at intermediate club level. Mr Creed handed in a number of references which described his client as a pleasant, helpful and kind young man.

Leahy, of Blarney, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Dublin Airport on June 27, 2016. He has five minor previous convictions.

Judge Martin Nolan noted Leahy’s shame and remorse for his actions. He said Leahy must have known he was participating in a serious crime, but noted in mitigation he was unlikely to re-offend.

Judge Nolan imposed a five-year sentence which he backdated to when Leahy went into custody.