League of Ireland player caught with €1,000 worth of cocaine, court told

Tom Tuite

A League of Ireland footballer has been remanded on bail pending sentence after getting caught with €1,000 worth of cocaine in his car in Dublin two weeks ago.

Bray Wanderers striker Jake Walker (23), from Clondalkin but with a current address at Tor na Ri, Balgaddy, Dublin, was arrested on November 30th.

Gardaí charged him with unlawful possession of cocaine and having it for sale or supply at Shancastle Lawns, Clondalkin, to which he pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court on Thursday.

Judge Treasa Kelly heard he was stopped driving a 2013-registered Volkswagen Golf.

Garda Joseph Melvin noticed a “strong smell of cannabis from the vehicle” and questioned Walker, who admitted he had something on him.

The court heard there were “six deals of cocaine, three large bags and three small”, which he had in his trousers. He was then arrested and brought to a Garda station.

The court heard Walker, who has two previous convictions for minor road traffic offences,  pleaded guilty at the earliest possible stage.

Defence solicitor Damien Coffey said the accused became a semi-professional footballer after completing the Leaving Certificate, and provided the court with a letter from Walker’s doctor showing his client had sought help regarding his mental health.

Mr Coffey explained that when Walker was 15, his father was murdered in a senseless shooting in Crumlin. The incident was confirmed to have been a case of mistaken identity, and his father was not involved in any criminality.

“His father was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” the solicitor said, adding that it had a significant impact on Walker, who reached out earlier this year for help from support services.

Mr Coffey also urged the judge to consider his client’s tragic circumstances and how he met this case with an immediate plea of guilty.

The defence had not required the usual forensic report or disclosure of Garda evidence.

Walker's partner, mother and aunt came to court to support him.

Pleading for leniency, the solicitor said it was an “immediate hands up” and he clarified that his client told him the supply aspect was “social supply”.

Walker had brought €500 to court, and his solicitor asked the judge to consider giving him a big chance and “not blight his copybook”.

Judge Kelly remarked that it was a serious matter and “young boys must look up to him”. However, she noted his prompt guilty plea and that the incident happened just a fortnight ago.

She adjourned sentencing and referred Walker to the Probation Service for a report on his insight into the matter.

He was remanded on continuing bail to appear again on March 25th.