A former soldier who served in the UN and used his home as a "heroin factory" for a major west Dublin drugs gang has been remanded in custody for sentence by Judge Elizabeth Dunne at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Raymond Duff was caught taking £300,000 worth of heroin to his home. Duff (33), unemployed, Rossmore Avenue, Ballyfermot and Monread Heights, Naas, pleaded guilty to the possession of the heroin for sale and supply on April 15th, 1998.
Garda Ray Murphy told prosecuting counsel Mr Fergal Foley that Duff had served in the Army for six years, where he was assigned duty with the UN. He had five previous convictions, including malicious damage and alcohol-related offences.
Defence counsel Mr Giollaiosa O'Lideadha asked Judge Dunne to consider that the gang members were particularly dangerous individuals and there would have been a level of intimidation involved. He said when his client left the Army he embarked on a six-year drinking binge and was "out of control".