A STUDENT who was described as one of Athlone's "big drugs dealers" between 1991 and 1993 has been remanded in custody after pleading guilty to possessing amphetamines.
Defence counsel for Brian Thornton said he had decided to go into custody while probation and psychiatric reports are prepared on him as a sign he was earnestly meeting his responsibilities.
He will appear in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court again on February 23rd.
Garda William Byrne said Thornton's main companions when he came to Garda notice were heroin dealers. He was a student for up to six years in Athlone RTC where courses normally run for three or four years, he added.
However, Thornton's girlfriend said he felt inferior and had consequently associated with "gougers in Athlone. She was engaged to be married to him.
Thornton (24), a mineralogy student from Aghnameen Park, Dundalk, Co Louth, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of amphetamine (speed) for supply on February 23rd, 1994. The drugs had a street value of about £1,500.
Garda Byrne said he and other gardai set up surveillance on February 22nd, 1994, outside a pub after he got confidential information about a person called "Brian" selling drugs there.
They arrested Thornton when he came out of the pub at about midnight. The amphetamine was found during a search of his room.
Thornton said he had been using dope for some years and got the drugs from a dealer to supply to students.