Former fitness instructor convicted after cocaine found in Offaly house

31 grams of cocaine were discovered in the previous home of a former fitness instructor, last week’s Tullamore District Court heard.

In his evidence to the court Sgt James O’Sullivan said that on June 11, 2021, gardai executed a warrant under section 26 of the misuse of drugs act to search a home in Kilbrook, Tullamore.

There they discovered cocaine with a street value of €2,170. Darren Raleigh, 51, Austin Friar Street, Mullingar, was arrested and made a full admission that the drugs were his for sale and supply.

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He had no previous convictions for drugs but had other convictions for public order and driving offences which dated back to 2009.

His solicitor Donal Farrelly said Mr Raleigh was a 33-year-old man who prior to Covid had been a fitness instructor. He had two children that he was trying to support. He said there had been no money coming in and he was in a bad place. He took the opportunity to store the drugs and developed a cocaine habit and had incurred debts as a result.

Judge Staines noted that Mr Raleigh had no previous convictions for drugs offences. She put the case back for a probation report and a community service report and she adjourned the case to April 27.