Cannabis plant grower to stop

A 53 year old father of five has given an undertaking to stop growing cannabis and also to to quit smoking the drug.

Brian Ambrey appeared before Sligo Circuit Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to cultivating four cannabis plabnts at his home at Snee, Coolaney on September 4th 2015.

Garda Pat Ruddy told prosecuting counsel Ms Dara Foynes BL with Mr Hugh Sheridan State Solicitor that a search warrant was obtained for the defendant’s house, lands and outhouses.

Sergeant Niall Davey, Sgt John Walsh and Garda Kevin Brannick conducted the search and a small bag of plant material which turned out to be cannabis was found in a bedroom which Ambrey said was for his own use.

He was asked if there was anything else on the property and the defendant volunteered that he had cannabis plants growing in one of his sheds. There were three plants there growing under high intensity lights.

Gardaí also found a grinder on a kitchen table. Another cannabis plant was found growing in a polytunnel but this was a male species unlike the other three and the defendant said he used this in connectiion with his bee keeping with the smoke from the plant helping to keep them calm.

The defendant had a previous conviction from the District Court in October 2009 for an offence in December 2008 for the cultivation of cannabis for which he was fined € 250.

In reply to Mr Keith O’Grady BL with Mr Mor- gan Coleman, Solicitor, Garda Ruddy agreed that there appeared to have been full co- operation with the Gardaí in the matter.

The Garda also agreed that the valuation of the plants could depend on their maturity. Mr O’Grady suggested the value of the plants was closer to € 400.

Mr O’Grady pleaded that the defendant lived on a small farm where he kept bees and smoked cannabis for a number of years now.

“If there is ever a straightforward case of cannabis growing for one’s own use then this is it,” pleaded Mr O’Grady who added that the matter would be in the District Court only for his previous conviction.

At the invitation of Judge Keenan Johnson, the defendant gave an undertaking not to cultivate cannabis in the future. Ms Foynes put it to the defendant: “Clearly you cannot be smoking it either because it is illegal and ordinary smoke can be used to calm the bees. It may necessitate a lifestyle change for you but at least you won’t be coming in here.” The defendant also undertook not to smke cannabis either again.

Judge Johnson said he noted the defendant admitted his wrongdoing immediately and in the circumstances where there was fulsome co- operation and there was no question of selling or supplying he was satisfied to impose a non custodial sentence. A two year term was imposed suspended for five years with the conditions attached regarding growing and smoking the drug.