Published: Wednesday, 3rd February, 2010 5:00pm

Former county footballer fined

Judge Sean MacBride.

A prominent former Cavan footballer who pleaded guilty at Virginia District Court to permitting his vehicle to be used for the transport of drugs was fined €650.

Anthony Gaynor, with an address of Riverside House, Arva Road, Ballinagh, was summoned that on May 9 at Cornahilt, Ballyjamesduff, he allowed his Land Cruiser jeep to be used for the transport of the controlled drug cannabis

Inspector Ray McMahon said that Garda Ashling Walsh was operating a checkpoint when she noticed a car approaching. As it did so, she noticed a passenger throw something from the window. It turned out to be cannabis with an estimated street value of €1,000.

The defendant was questioned and he admitted that it was cannabis. Inspector McMahon said that the defendant was very much a minnow in the matter and he was transporting it for another person.

Gaynor mentioned that he got €300 for the transportation of the drugs. He would come from a very good family.

Judge Sean Macbride said this was a very serious case. The defendant was lucky that he was not going to prison.

"I'm not interested in the probation act for somebody who allows their vehicle to be used for the transportation of cannabis. He should have known better," he said.

"You are in a position of privilege, whereby young people look up to you. What were you doing at this carry-on?"

Gaynor replied: "I got led in the wrong direction. It was a very stupid thing to do. I have turned a corner."

"It's a bridge too far for the probation act," said the judge.

The defendant was due to be represented on the last occasion, when a warrant was issued, but due to an administrative error the solicitor failed to appear on Mr. Gaynor's behalf.

Recognisances were fixed for the defendant's own bond of €500.