Community service for man guilty of cultivating cannabis

A DEFENDANT before Gorey District Court list week, who was convicted of growing cannabis plants in Oylegate, was given the chance to do 100 hours of community service instead of serving six months in prison.

John Murphy, (24), of Ballyowen, Wellingtonbridge, and also The Oil, Oylegate, was charged with the unauthorised possession of a firearm (a gas cannister); cultivation of cannabis; and possession of drugs for sale or supply at Oylegate on August 17, 2014.

He was also charged with unlawful possession of drugs at Main Street, Clonroche, on June 29, 2015; and driving without insurance, a licence, NCT, or tax at Abbey Square, Enniscorthy, on July 1, 2015.

The court heard that he previously received a suspended 17-month sentence.

Solicitor Ed King said his client is drug free and is making great progress. He said he was working until recently, and was let go because work was quiet. He pointed out that the no insurance charge pre-dated the suspended sentence.

He added that the defendant spent time in custody until the suspended sentence was imposed last December.

Mr King said that his client has been known to the court since he was 16, and he is now in a relationship, and is hopeful the job will soon be available again. He asked the judge to give him the opportunity to continue with the progress he has been making.

The defendant’s most recent driving ban was for 10 years in December 2015.

Judge Haughton sentenced him to six months in prison, but gave him the option of doing 100 hours of community service, which he agreed to.

He was also banned from driving for 10 years, and an order was made for the destruction of the drugs, and the forfeiture of the gas cannister.