A LEAGUE OF Ireland footballer has been remanded on bail pending sentence after getting caught with €1,000 worth of cocaine in his car in Dublin two weeks ago.

Bray Wanderers striker Jake Walker, 23, from Clondalkin but with a current address at Tor na Ri, Balgaddy, Dublin, was arrested on 30 November.

Gardaí charged him with unlawful possession of cocaine and having it for sale or supply at Shancastle Lawns, Clondalkin, and he pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court today.

Judge Treasa Kelly heard he was stopped driving a 2013-reg Volkswagen Golf.

Garda Joseph Melvin noticed a “strong smell of cannabis from the vehicle” and questioned Walker who admitted he had something on him.

The court heard there were “six deals of cocaine, three large bags and three small,” which he had in his trousers, and he was arrested and brought to a Garda station.

He pleaded guilty at the earliest possible stage.

The court heard he had two minor Road Traffic Act convictions.

Defence solicitor Damien Coffey said the accused became a semi-professional footballer after completing the Leaving Certificate.

The solicitor provided the court with a letter from Walker’s doctor showing his client had sought help with his mental health.

Coffey explained that when Walker, who did not address the court, was just 15 years old, his father was murdered in a senseless shooting in Crumlin. It was confirmed it had been a genuine case of mistaken identity, and his father was not involved in any criminality.

“His father was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” the solicitor said, adding that it had a significant impact on Walker who reached out earlier this year for help from support services.

Coffey also urged the judge to consider his client’s tragic circumstances and how he met this case with an immediate plea of guilty. The defence had not required the usual forensic report or disclosure of Garda evidence.

His partner, mother and aunt came to court to support him.

Pleading for leniency, the solicitor said it was an “immediate hands up” and he clarified that his client told him the supply aspect was “social supply”.

Walker had brought €500 to the court, and his solicitor asked the judge to consider giving him a big chance and “not blight his copybook”.

Judge Kelly remarked that it was a serious matter and “young boys must look up to him”.

However, she noted his prompt guilty plea and that the incident happened just a fortnight ago. She adjourned sentencing and referred Walker to the Probation Service for a report on his insight into the matter.

He was remanded on continuing bail to appear again on 25 March.