Chef’s €1,300 in drugs ‘for supply to friends’ Speeding on ‘Day Without a Road Death’

A CHEF who told Wexford District Court that the €1,305 worth of cannabis he had in his possession was intended to supply a circle of friends was treated with scepticism by Judge Gerard Haughton.

The drugs were found in October, 2016, in a Garda search at the home of Bartlomiej Czuba (27) at 24 Quay West, Wexford. He pleaded guilty to having cannabis for sale or supply to others but solicitor Eric Furlong stressed his client was not engaged in a commercial enterprise. ‘It was for him and a few friends.’ Mr Furlong added that his client was Polish and ten years living in Ireland. ‘He must have a lot of friends,’ responded Judge Haughton.

He was prepared to give Czuba the benefit of the Probation Act, thus avoiding a criminal record.

However, first he must come up with a contribution of €1,300 for the Cornmarket Project. When the amount of money was queried by the solicitor, Judge Haughton observed: ‘He can have a whip around among his friends.’

The defendant was allowed until the court sitting of November 20 to come up with the Cornmarket donation. GARDAÍ were more visible than usual policing Wexford roads last Friday on European Day Without A Road Death (Project Edward).

Among the speeding motorists caught countrywide was a driver travelling at 112 km/h in the 80 km/h limit zone at Ashwood Upper, Gorey, and a driver doing 68 km/h in a 50 zone on the R702 at Enniscorthy.

Nationwide during the 24 hours of Project Edward, Gardaí checked the speed of 129,250 vehicles with 256 detected breaking the speed limit.