Judge asks cannabis grower if he has any respect for his mother

A MAN who was growing two cannabis plants in the home he shared with his mother was asked by a district court judge last week if he had any respect for her.

Michael Dunworth, Rusheen Park, Ballylongford, came to the attention of gardaí on foot of informtation last year, the Court was told.

His home was searched under warrant on September 6 where gardaí discovered two cannabis plants growing in containers. They were valued by the State at €400 each.

Solicitor for the defence Robin Lee told the court that the plants had ‘ barely broken the surface’.

Mr Dunworth pleaded guilty to the unlawful cultivation of cannabis contrary to section 17 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Mr Lee said his client was growing the plants for his own use. Mr Dunworth told the court that he lived with his mother and had been growing the plants in a spare room.

“They could have been masquerading as tomato plants,” Mr Lee said.

“Aren’t you a bit of a boyo... have you no respect for your mother?” Judge O’Connor asked.

He heard the 23-year-old defendant has been out of work for the past four years.

The Judge described the offence as the ‘ nearest to section 15 [possession for the purposes of sale or supply] as you can find’.

“The only thing saving him is that it is two plants and that there was no paraphernalia associated with selling drugs.”

Mr Dunworth will keep his clean record if he pays €1,000 to the Court Poor Box by December 7 next.