Enniscorthy man grew cannabis for wife who has MS

AN ENNISCORTHY man who cultivated cannabis plants to provide for his wife who suffers from multiple sclerosis was given an 18-month suspended prison sentence when he appeared before Judge Cormac Quinn at a sitting of Wexford Circuit Criminal Court.

Martin Laffan (49), of 31 Gort na Slini, Cherry Orchard, Enniscorthy, pleaded guilty to the cultivation of cannabis plants on April 12, 2016, at 31 Gort na Slini.

Sgt Ray Heffernan told Prosecuting Counsel Ms Sinead Gleeson that gardai carried out a search of the defendant’s house on foot of a search warrant. They found 26 cannabis plants worth €20,800 along with cannabis herb with a value of €320.

Sgt Heffernan told the court the defendant made a full admission to gardai and was fully co-operative.

Defence counsel Diarmuid Collins told the court the defendant was not cultivating the plants for sale or supply. The plants were to provide a source of cannabis for his wife, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. Laffan is a man with a public service background and has served overseas, said Mr Collins.

Judge Quinn said that although this was a serious offence, he would take into account the defendant’s age and circumstances, along with the fact that he made a full admission to gardai. Judge Quinn said that despite some previous traffic offences, he would treat the defendant as a person with no previous convictions.

He would also take into account the Probation and Welfare report which indicated his main motivation was to provide cannabis for his wife who is suffering from multiple sclerosis.

Judge Quinn said the headline sentence for this offence is two and half years, but he would impose an 18-month sentence, which he would suspend in its entirety provided Laffan remains of good behaviour and remains drug free.