A former Dublin inter-county footballer and hurler who became a heroin addict has been told by Judge Kieran O'Connor: "Catch the ball and make sure you don't drop it."
Paul Ryan (24), of Grangemore Lawn, Donaghmede, robbed a service station after being introduced to heroin by a female friend.
In July 1998 he was ordered by the former judge Mr Justice Cyril Kelly to carry out 100 hours of community service. But at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday, Judge O'Connor noted a probation report which recorded that Ryan had 44 hours of his community service order uncompleted. He accepted Ryan had since completed another 16 hours but said the situation was unacceptable.
The judge gave Ryan until March 15th to complete the community service order and placed him under the supervision of the probation services.
