A construction worker will spend five years in prison after Gardaí found over €1 million worth of heroin and cocaine. 

During a search of John Reeves’ home on Birches Road in Sandyford, Dublin last October, Gardaí found a pink suitcase in the attic and inside were eight blocks of heroin and seven blocks of cocaine.

Reeves admitted holding the drugs for someone else, but insisted he thought the bag was full of cannabis and felt sick when he found out what was actually inside.

He told Gardaí he agreed to take the drugs in order to reduce his own drug debt by €3,000; the court heard he developed a drug problem following the death of his son.

The 58-year-old told them his family had no idea there was a bag full of drugs in the house and the Gardaí accepted that he was afraid for his family and himself.

No evidence of drug dealing was found in the house.

The judge sentenced him to seven years in prison but suspended the final two years - subject to a number of conditions, including that he attend grief counselling.

Main image: Prison van.