A former Leeds United goalkeeper has been sentenced to 10 years in prison at Naas Circuit Court this morning for possession of cannabis.
Two and a half years of the sentence are suspended.
Eddie Van Boxtel, from Silloge Avenue, Ballymun, was arrested on 6 February 2008 at Castlewarden South, Kill, Co Kildare and charged with possession of cannabis resin worth €3.5m for sale or supply.
Van Boxtel has been in custody since 28 February 2014.
Despite being one of several men arrested initially in February 2008, he was only arrested last February after gardaí executed a six-year-old warrant for his arrest.
Van Boxtel played for a number of clubs in the League of Ireland over his career.
