A “STELLAR” Garda and an ex-bandmate of boy band stars Westlife has been spared jail after he was caught possessing cocaine during a search in Dublin 4.
Michael Garrett, 40, with an address at Orchard Lane, Strandhill Road, Sligo had pleaded earlier at Dublin District Court to unlawful possession of cocaine at Tritonville Avenue, Sandymount, on August 26, 2018.
He was based in a Dublin Garda station at the time.
Garrett had with 15 years’ unblemished service and was once chosen to represent the force and met US president Obama during his State visit.
Since his drugs arrest, however, he was suspended from duty, and later dismissed by the Garda Commissioner.
His cocaine-use stemmed a mental breakdown after alleged incidents of workplace bullying, the court was told.
The case was listed again for sentencing today when he was convicted and fined €500, by Judge John O’Leary.
A guilty plea had been entered in July.
BOYBAND AND GARDA CAREER
Garrett had been a member of the boy band IOU when Louis Walsh signed a number of its members in 2000.
This included Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily, who went on to international success and stardom after they become Westlife.
He went to college, however, and then attended the Garda Training College, in Templemore and had a “stellar career” until his arrest last year.
In evidence, Garda Inspector Michael McNulty from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation told the court that Garrett had been stopped under the Misuse of Drugs Act and two bags containing 1.6g of cocaine worth approximately €140 were found.
He accepted the defendant had handed over the drugs, he was detained and interviewed four times, during which he made admissions.
WORKPLACE BULLYING CLAIM
Paul Comiskey O’Keeffe BL, defending, pleaded with the court to spare his client a jail sentence and a conviction despite the aggravating circumstances.