AN AWARD-winning music student turned to selling drugs to pay off his student loans, a court has heard.
Kevin Monaghan, who is 24, appeared before Letterkenny District Court today.
Garda Inspector David Kelly told the court that Monaghan, from 22 The Elms in Letterkenny, had been suspected by the drugs squad of being a cannabis dealer in the town.
Gardai stopped a car in the town on April 7th last year but didn’t find any drugs.
However a subsequent search of the property at The Elms uncovered €680 worth of cannabis, weighing scales, €170 in cash, a nokia phone and a tick list of customers.
Defence solicitor Kieran Dillon said Monaghan was a gifted music student who had studied at college in Derry where he had received the President’s Prize. He had gone on to Leeds University where he had received a degree in Music and Music Production.
During the course of his studies he had run up debts of €5,000 to the Credit Union and had an overdraft of €1,400, said the solicitor.
“Unfortunately he was a user (of cannabis) himself and he fell into selling it,” said Mr Dillon
Mr Dillon also said Monaghan was a gifted musician who worked with local youth groups because “he wanted to help people.”
Judge Paul Kelly said he had “serious concerns that this man is working with youth organisations.”
However Mr Dillon said Monaghan wanted to turn people away from drugs, using his own experience.
The judge adjourned the sentencing for a probation report.