A former probationary garda saw his promising career go up in smoke when he was caught dealing cocaine in Killarney, Co Kerry, a special district court sitting has been told.
Shane O'Sullivan, of Banard, Gneeveguilla, Rathmore, Co Kerry, resigned from the force after he admitted possession of the drugs.
At 3.20am on 6 February, 2023, he was seen acting suspiciously with another man at Well Lane South in Killarney.
Garda Inspector Eoin Donovan searched the two men and found two deal bags of white powder on O'Sullivan, aged 26, which he later admitted was cocaine.
A Revolut payment for the drugs was found when his phone was examined.
O'Sullivan was a probationary garda in Killarney at the time.
At the district court in Killarney, O'Sullivan pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of cocaine for sale or supply.
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His solicitor, Padraig O'Connell, said he immediately resigned from An Garda Síochána after he was caught with the drugs.
He said he had got two bags of cocaine, one for himself and one for his friend.
He said he had made a mistake and that his promising career in An Garda Siochána had gone up in smoke as a result.
Judge David Waters said O'Sullivan's position as a probationary garda at the time was an aggravating factor.
He rejected an appeal by Mr O'Connell to deal with the case by way of a dismissal under the Probation of Offenders' Act and fined O'Sullivan €400.
