Man was supplying friends with cocaine in Laois

A man admitted to having cocaine for sale or supply in Portlaoise. 

Christian Cekiso (30) of 28 Bianconi Way, Portlaoise admitted having cocaine for sale or supply at an apartment at Grattan Street, Portlaoise on October 27 last. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said a search of the property uncovered weighing scales and 14 bags of cocaine valued at €595. 

Sgt Kirby said the man was cooperative with gardai and had a cocaine addiction. He said the man had been selling the drugs to fund his own habit. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was pleading guilty to the offence. 

“We were supplying to friends to feed our own habit,” she said.

She said the man was in receipt of jobseekers and had a qualification in sports. She said he “had an ambition to box competitively” and had worked in a warehouse. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client was not working at the moment due to a knee injury. 

Judge Susan Fay ordered a probation report and asked to have the man assessed for community service suitability. 

She told the man to engage with drug treatment services and adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on June 23.