‘unfortunate’ | 

Man who came to Ireland for ‘better life’ and fell victim to rent scam spared jail for drug dealing

Thayla Conceicao Marini (28) was trying to “get back on his feet” when gardaí found him with several types of drug worth more than €2,700

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A man who came to Ireland for a “better life” ended up turning to drug dealing after he fell victim to a property rental scam, a court heard.

Thayla Conceicao Marini (28) was trying to “get back on his feet” when gardaí found him with several types of drug worth more than €2,700.

Judge Bryan Smyth gave him a nine-month suspended sentence.

Marini, of North Strand Road, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply.

Dublin District Court heard he was seen in a transaction with an unknown man at Brooklawn, Clontarf on December 1 last year.

When gardaí approached, Marini attempted to flee but was apprehended and searched. He was found in possession of €400 in cash and in a further search, gardaí found cannabis, cocaine, ketamine, LSD and ecstasy.

The combined value was €2,706. The accused had no previous convictions.

Marini had come to Ireland in October last year to “make a better life for himself” but fell victim to a scam, defence solicitor Claire Finnegan said. He had attempted to rent a property, but when he went there there was nobody to meet him.

A former friend told him he would give him some assistance so he could support himself.

“That is how he got involved in this,” Ms Finnegan said.

She added that it was very unfortunate that soon after he arrived he found himself in these circumstances which he had not anticipated. He would not get into this position again.

The accused was now working as a cleaner and studying English.​