Anthony Stokes has jail sentence overturned on appeal

The former Republic of Ireland footballer Anthony Stokes has had a jail sentence for drug dealing and drunk and dangerous driving overturned on appeal.

The 36-year-old footballer, who also played for Celtic and Sunderland, was sentenced to 15 months in prison last month and banned from driving for five years after he was caught driving at 160km/h and with €3,700 worth of cocaine in his possession.

The District Appeals Court suspended the prison sentence entirely and imposed a community service order.

Stokes was driving drunk at between 140-160km/h shortly after midnight on 6 January 2023.

He failed to stop for gardaí and was pursued as he broke a red light at the Long Mile junction.

He broke another red light at the Naas Road, and three more, including two pedestrian lights in Ballyfermot.

He continued to Kennelsfort Road Upper, broke another red light, and almost crashed into a car on the Chapelizod bypass.

He had a passenger in the car and then drove to Knockmaroon Road and stopped at the closed gates of Phoenix Park, where he abandoned the car and fled.

He was caught nearby shortly after.

Gardaí brought his car to Crumlin Garda Station, where cocaine worth €3,700 was found in wraps inside a sock, kept in the air vent on the driver's side.

Stokes' DNA was also found on the sock.

He provided a urine sample, which resulted in 59mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine, which was over the limit.

Gardaí said he was "fully cooperative" and "a pleasure to deal with".

Stokes pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cocaine and having the drug for sale or supply.

He also admitted driving while over the alcohol limit and four counts of dangerous driving during the pursuit from the Naas Road to the Phoenix Park.

The ex-Premier League player admitted