Fitness Industry Entrepreneur Fined for Possession of Large Quantities of Steroids in Ireland

Anabolic steroid possession for personal use is not criminalized in the Republic of Ireland but steroid trafficking is illegal. Michael Kehoe of Ireland, a successful entrepreneur in the local fitness industry, was fined €9,000 after he pleaded guilty to three counts of “supplying a medicinal substance other than as prescribed” in June 2009; Kehoe was busted in possession of almost 80,000 tablets including several different types of anabolic steroids, ephedrine and clenbuterol (aka “angel dust”) over five years earlier on March 25 2004. Kehoe discussed his past involvement with steroids and bodybuilding yesterday on Boards.ie under the handle “MickK”.

I was big into bodybuilding when I was alot younger, I have talked openly about it on boards a few times in the past. I regrettably started taking steroids when I was 17 years old and this incident took place when I was 21 years old. I am 27 now and have thankfully built a business doing what I love. I think we all know what goes on in bodybuilding and I would obviously not condone cheating in sports but in bodybuilding they are not banned. Either way it is a long time in my past now.

Defense attorney Peter Keane attributed Kehoe’s to his involvement with a “culture of steroid abuse” arising from his struggles with muscle dysmorphia. Keane maintained that the steroids and bodybuilding drugs were intended for his client’s personal use rebutting Liam Wright of the Irish Medicines Board testimony that the steroids represented a “commercial quantity” likely intended for distribution to athletes in gyms and sporting leagues.

Michael Kehoe admitted that he occasionally shared steroids with his friends. Judge Pat McCartan believed Kehoe had learned his lesson and allowed him to escape with only a fine (“Businessman fined €6,000 for possession of steroid tablets,” June 26).

Almost 80,000 tablets were found consisting of six different types of steroids, including ‘Angel Dust’, ‘Pink Thai’ and ephedrine. […]

Mr Wright said all these drugs were banned in Ireland and people usually sourced them illegally on the internet. Their total value was estimated at around €20,000.

Michael Kehoe had emerged as an successful and popular entrepreneur and businessman operating fitness-related businesses that sell sports nutrition supplements and fitness equipment in the years since his arrest on steroid charges in March 2004. He also ran a commercial gym prior to selling it in November 2008. Kehoe addressed the news of his plea agreement on the Boards.ie forums.

Thanks, it’s not something I am proud of but it’s not really something I am ashamed of either. I think cheating in sports is very very different to deciding to take substances which are allowed in a sport/competition. Not a single drop of alcohol or cigarette smoke has passed my lips since I was 17 years old to this day and if I choose to take steroids thats my right. They are not illegal to have or take btw, I took a step too far and went to thailand and stocked up on them for a while…

Steroid law in many countries does not criminalize the possession of anabolic steroids solely for personal use; steroid possession (even involving relatively large quantities of steroids) rarely results in jail time. Steroid distribution is even treated with much more leniency under the steroid laws of most other countries.

The United States has established a reputation at home and abroad for its relatively harsh steroid law enforcement policy. Federal and state prosecutors have been known to file steroid distribution charges against individuals involving as little as 10 Dianabol tablets, to throw foreign middle-aged tourists in jail who travel with 1-2 therapeutic dosages of steroids; and to target personal trainers, their clients and bodybuilders on felony steroid conspiracy charges for personal quantities of steroids used merely to improve their physical appearance. Defendants could face up to several years in prison if convicted.

About the author

Millard

MESO-Rx | Website

Millard writes about anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs and their use and impact in sport and society. He discusses the medical and non-medical uses of anabolic-androgenic steroids while advocating a harm reduction approach to steroid education.