Young man was ‘minding’ cannabis worth almost €6,000

A stash of cannabis estimated to be worth close to €6,000 did not belong to the young man prosecuted for dealing in the drug, the District Court was told.

Wayne McGrath (20) from 51 Daphne View, Enniscorthy was 18 years of age when gardaí arrived at his home with search warrant.

They seized cannabis valued at €5,934 along with a weighing scales and three grinders.

He told officers that he was minding it for others but pleaded guilty to having the drug for sale or supply.

Defending solicitor John Mernagh accepted that his client had been abusing cannabis from the age of 13.

A smaller amount of the drug – worth €50 – came to light when officers returned to Daphne View in July of last year.

However, Mr Mernagh insisted that his client had been under the influence of older people.

The court was told that McGrath was now completely free of drugs and that he had returned to education.

Judge Brian O’Shea agreed with the solicitor that a probation report compiled on the accused was hugely positive.

The case was adjourned for a year with three conditions laid out for the accused.

First, he must raise a €500 contribution to the Cornmarket Project. Second, he must continue on probation. Third he must not come to the adverse attention of gardaí.

Once he measures up to these requirements, he will be allowed the benefit of the Probation Act.

However, if he fails to match all three, then he faces six months in jail.