A SPANISH golf professional has been jailed by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for importing cannabis resin worth £50,000 earlier this year.
Luis Escriva (31) from Barcelona in Catalonia pleaded guilty to unlawfully importing five kilograms of the drug at Dublin Airport on March 4th last.
Escriva told gardai he was importing the cannabis for a man named "Conor" he met shortly before that in Rathmines. He paid £5,000 for the haul and was to get £10,000 from "Conor", leaving him with £5,000 profit.
Judge Cyril Kelly noted the drug dealer "Conor" and his friends would have netted £40,000 profit from the transaction.
Det Garda Michael Whelan told prosecuting counsel Mr Paul Coffey the defendant had lived here for some years and worked as a fisherman in Co Kerry.
He went to Barcelona after being told by "Conor" he dealt in drugs and bought the cannabis from a man called Mahommad, but was stopped by members of the Customs National Drugs Team at the airport on his return. He admitted the offence immediately.
Defence counsel, Mr Hugh Hartnett, said Escriva was a qualified golf teacher and professional who came from a relatively wealthy background.
He handed Judge Kelly testimonials on Escriva's behalf and what he called "a very detailed and frank autobiography" prepared by his client with admissions counsel said he did not have to make.
Escriva admitted having had a heroin problem which he cured when he lived in Co Kerry. He returned to Spain to work but went to pieces with depression after his mother died and as a result went back on heroin.
Mr Hartnett said Escriva hoped eventually to return to professional golf.
Ms Eibhlin Bean Ui Chleirigh, from Ceann Tra, Dingle, told Judge Kelly that Escriva lived with her family for three years and worked on the farm and at fishing.
"The whole community were all mad about Luis Escriva - the women probably more than the men. But everyone loved him and you could always depend on him. I would give him the top place," she said.
A former girlfriend, Ms Eimer Healy, said Escriva became "a totally different person" after his mother died. He became depressed and then a drug addict.
Judge Kelly imposed a three and a half year sentence and noted what he called the comprehensive verbal and written testimonials on Escriva's behalf as well as his own long document.
