Waterford man caught with cocaine was

The accused told Gardaí at the time: "I

The 36-year-old man appeared at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Eugene O'Kelly, having entered a guilty plea.

Caroline Spencer A Waterford man told Gardaí that he bought thousands of Euro worth of cocaine because he was "going to All Together Now".

Keith Dunphy, of O'Grady's Yard Apartments, John Street, Waterford city, was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

On August 2, 2024, Gardaí executed a warrant on Dunphy's home and discovered a sum of cash and cocaine to the value of €3,894.87.

The accused told Gardaí at the time: "I'm going to All Together Now so I got a bit extra."

The court heard that Dunphy had the drug to share amongst friends ahead of the Portlaw-based festival.

Dunphy has 12 previous convictions, all related to road traffic offences. The matter went to Waterford Circuit Court after it was refused jurisdiction by a District Court Judge.

Defence counsel Gareth Hayden BL said his client had an addiction to cocaine and the quantity found by Gardaí was "for personal use". Mr. Hayden suggested that Dunphy would be well placed for community service over a custodial sentence, due to the lack of previous relevant convictions, strong work history, early guilty plea and co-operation with Gardaí.

Dunphy received 200 hours of community service in lieu of an 18-month prison sentence.