Former Republic of Ireland footballer Anthony Stokes was arrested after leading gardaí on a high-speed chase in Dublin while in possession of nearly €4,000 worth of cocaine. The incident occurred shortly after midnight on January 6, 2023, when the ex-Celtic and Sunderland player reached speeds of 160 km/h, narrowly avoiding a collision with another vehicle.
During the proceedings, Judge Grainne Malone adjourned Stokes’s sentencing, pending a treatment report to verify his drug-free status. He pleaded guilty in Dublin District Court to unlawful possession of cocaine, which was found hidden in a sock, and to having the drug for sale or supply.
The court heard that Stokes’s struggles with alcohol had escalated into a cocaine addiction following the end of his football career. He also admitted to driving while over the alcohol limit, four counts of dangerous driving, and failing to produce a driving license or have valid motor insurance.
Garda Radoslaw Konczewski testified that he observed Stokes speeding on Walkinstown Avenue at around 12:20 a.m. When he activated his patrol lights, Stokes continued through several red lights at high speeds. The chase lasted about 10 minutes, with Stokes reaching speeds of 160 km/h and nearly colliding with another car.
After the pursuit, gardaí discovered cocaine worth €3,700 in wraps inside a sock located in the car’s air vent, with Stokes’s DNA found on the sock. A urine sample indicated he was over the legal alcohol limit, registering 59 mg of alcohol per 100 ml.
The garda noted that Stokes was cooperative during the investigation, describing him as “a pleasure to deal with.” The court also acknowledged Stokes’s prior conviction in 2013 for assault causing harm, which resulted in a suspended sentence and a compensation order.
Ms. Stephens urged the judge not to impose a jail sentence on her client, Anthony Stokes, emphasizing his worries and his awareness of the precarious situation he faces as a father of three young children. In her mitigation plea, she highlighted his talent as a footballer, having been scouted at 14 by Arsenal after starting at Cherry Orchard Football Club in Dublin. Stokes began his professional career at Sunderland at 17 and later achieved success with Celtic in the Scottish league.
However, his struggles with addiction began early. After moving with his adoptive parents to pursue his football dreams, Stokes turned to alcohol at 16. This issue later escalated into cocaine abuse, which he was heavily using at the time of his arrest. The court heard that he struggled significantly with the end of his career, which contributed to his downward spiral.
Ms. Stephens stated that Stokes is now clean and sober, noting he is scheduled to provide a drug test later this month to confirm his drug-free status. She also mentioned his gambling problems and his appearance in a documentary addressing the mental health challenges faced by young footballers without proper parental support.
When asked about the nature of his driving, Ms. Stephens clarified that she did not wish to minimize it, but argued that some roads were relatively empty. Nonetheless, Judge Malone pointed out the serious evidence of near-collision incidents. She was told this was an isolated incident and that Stokes was under the influence at the time.
Ms. Stephens emphasized Stokes’s commitment to achieving “total abstinence” and his desire to avoid jail. The judge adjourned sentencing until October 1 for the results of his drug tests, stressing the seriousness of his driving offenses and indicating she would hear more evidence regarding that aspect in the next hearing.
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