Anthony Stokes, a former Premier League footballer and Republic of Ireland international, has received a prison sentence for drug and dangerous driving charges.
The 36-year-old was jailed for fifteen-months this morning but has since taken up bail as he plans to appeal the sentence.
Following a high-speed car chase that lasted about ten minutes on the 6th of January last year, Anthony Stokes abandoned his car at the closed gates of Phoenix Park and made a run for it but was caught by gardai following a short foot pursuit.
Cocaine worth almost €4,000 was found inside a sock that was hidden inside an air vent in the car.
Stokes, who had spells with Arsenal, Sunderland, Celtic and Blackburn Rovers during his football career, admitted having the cocaine for sale or supply and also pleaded guilty to multiple driving offences, which included four counts of dangerous driving.
The court heard how he has laboured under addiction from a young age and how his alcohol problems progressed to cocaine abuse after his career ended.
He was handed a 15-month prison sentence today but took up bail soon afterwards, pending the outcome of an appeal.
