A 73-year-old man, who became a crack and heroin dealer after his pension was cut, has been given a four-year suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
James Edgeworth, of Clonard Road, Crumlin, pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of drugs for sale or supply at various locations in Dublin in 2008.
Gardaí in Kevin Street set up an operation in May 2008 to target low-level drug dealers in the area.
Edgeworth started selling crack cocaine and heroin after his pension was cut by €30 following a row with the Department of Social Welfare over his benefits.
A friend's child overheard him complaining at a funeral about his money troubles and offered to supply him. Edgeworth admitted that he 'stupidly accepted' the offer.
He called himself Jimmy and three times three undercover gardaí bought €50 heroin and €100 cocaine deals off him.
He was arrested the fourth time when he sold crack cocaine to officers in a house in Crumlin.
His house was searched and more cocaine and €800 cash was found there.
The court heard that Edgeworth supports his seriously ill wife, who spends a lot of time in an oxygen tent.
He has been drinking heavily since his son's death several years ago and has been ashamed and remorseful since he was caught.
Judge Katherine Delahunt accepted this, even though she said he should be in jail, and today gave him a four-year suspended sentence.
