A former garda has been jailed for three years for a string of offences - including dealing cocaine, attempting to frame someone for car theft and insurance fraud.
Stephen Cooper (29) of The Green, Kingswood Heights in Tallaght was a member of the force when the offences took place in 2010 and 2011.
He also allowed a friend Luke Barnett take the blame when gardai found the drug LSD during a search at the 'Electric Picnic' music festival in September 2010.
He pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice, to deception by making a false insurance claim, and to possession of cocaine for sale or supply.
He was also charged with stealing a bag of cannabis herb worth €560 from Sundrive garda station on May 27th, 2010 but this count was withdrawn by the prosecution.
Last month, Judge Mary Ellen-Ring remanded him in continuing custody and adjourned the matter until today. The sentencing was previously adjourned after evidence was heard in March.
He pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice between August 19th 2010 and October 21st 2011 when he attempted to get Stephanie Lynch to make a false statement implicating Wayne Finane in the theft of a car.
'Fundamental breach' of the role of the gardaí
He also pleaded guilty to deception of Axa Insurance on November 12th 2010, by making a false insurance claim.
Cooper made a false report to gardai that the canopy of his jeep had been stolen - when in fact it had blown off the car while he was driving along the M50 motorway on September 15th in 2010.
Cooper further pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Ormond Quay on January 31st, 2011.
The judge took into account that he is now drug-free and recently married, that he lost his job and that as a former garda prison will be more difficult for him.
Judge Ring noted Cooper was a drug addict but that he held a privileged position in society. She said that drugs can led otherwise law-abiding people to commit crimes "and this no doubt applies to An Garda Síochána".
Before passing sentence she described Coopers actions as a fundamental breach of the role of the gardaí and said that Cooper threatened a completely innocent member of the public into making false claims.
"This does a serious diservice to the public and to Mr. Cooper's then colleagues who seek to conduct themselves within the letter of the law" the judge commented.
