Ex-Celtic star Anthony Stokes has been sentenced to 15 months in jail following a cocaine seizure and a high-speed car chase in Dublin. The former footballer, known for playing for Celtic and Hibs, was found driving over the alcohol limit, reaching speeds of 99mph and nearly causing a collision with another vehicle on January 6, 2023. Judge Grainne Malone at Dublin District Court handed down the sentence after Stokes failed a recent drug test. Additionally, Stokes pleaded guilty to possessing illegal street tablets and was sentenced without any suspension. He was accompanied by his girlfriend and mother in court but showed no emotion as the judge imposed the jail term along with a five-year driving ban.
Stokes, residing in Dublin, was granted bail upon lodging £840 for an appeal shortly after the sentencing. Last month, the sentencing was postponed for a treatment report to confirm his drug-free status, but traces of cocaine were still present. His defence solicitor acknowledged his struggles and urged the judge to consider community service, highlighting Stokes’ battle with addiction and the need for psychological support and residential treatment. Judge Malone acknowledged the seriousness of the offenses but took into account Stokes’ guilty pleas, resulting in a total sentence of one year and three months.
During the car chase incident from Naas Road to Phoenix Park, Stokes admitted to driving under the influence and four counts of dangerous driving. He also confessed to not producing a driving licence and lacking motor insurance. Garda Radoslaw Konczewski provided a detailed account of Stokes’ reckless driving, which included breaking multiple traffic lights and reaching speeds up to 99mph. Cocaine valued at £3,100 was discovered in his vehicle, hidden in a sock, further incriminating him.
Stokes, once a promising footballer scouted at 14, had a successful career that unravelled due to his battles with addiction, culminating in cocaine abuse post-retirement and a downward spiral that led to criminal activities. He was portrayed as a victim of early exposure to alcohol abuse and later succumbing to drug addiction, compounded by the challenges of transitioning from a football career. The court acknowledged his past transgressions but ultimately held him accountable for his actions.
Appeal bail was set at €1,000 for Stokes to contest the jail term, with another individual also facing charges related to the drug seizure. The case sheds light on the challenges faced by former athletes post-career and the consequences of substance abuse. Stokes’ journey serves as a cautionary tale, reminding individuals of the perils of addiction and the importance of seeking help before it’s too late.