Former Ireland striker caught in possession of €4k worth of cocaine after high-speed chase

The ex-Celtic star pleaded guilty to all charges in a Dublin court.

Ex-Republic of Ireland international Anthony Stokes was caught with almost €4,000 worth of cocaine in his car after leading gardaí on a high-speed pursuit on a January night in 2023, a Dublin court heard yesterday.

The incident occurred after midnight on January 6, 2023 in south Dublin when Stokes was recorded hitting 160 km/h and nearly colliding with another motorist.

The former Sunderland and Celtic forward's reckless driving caught the attention of gardaí, and Garda Radoslaw Konczewski recalled the events of that night at Dublin District Court yesterday.

According to Konczewski, the ex-footballer's car was speeding on Walkinstown Avenue at around 12.20am.

The officer activated his patrol car lights, but Stokes failed to stop and continued to the Long Mile Road junction, "which he entered at speed, breaking a red light".

Stokes drove to the Naas Road and broke another red light at a major junction and continued to Ballyfermot Road, breaking two pedestrian red lights and one at a junction.

The father-of-three continued to Kennelsfort Road Upper, broke a red light, and "almost collided with a car on the Chapelizod bypass".

The accused, who had a passenger in the car, went to Knockmaroon Road and stopped at the closed gates of Phoenix Park. Stokes abandoned the car but was caught following a short foot pursuit.

Gardaí brought the car to Crumlin station. Cocaine worth €3,700 was found in wraps inside a sock, kept in the air vent on the driver's side. His DNA was also found on the sock.

RTE report that Stokes also provided a urine sample, which resulted in 59 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of urine, which was over the limit.

Stokes pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to unlawful possession of cocaine and having the drug for sale or supply.

Judge Gráinne Malone adjourned sentencing of the 36-year-old for a treatment report to confirm that he is off drugs.

The former Arsenal academy star also pleaded guilty to not producing a driving licence and not having motor insurance.