Driver (71) taking cannabis for pain

A Garda observed the driver of a jeep appeared to get lost at a petrol station in Collooney and subsequently got a strong smell of cannabis from the vehicle.

Before Sligo District Court last Thursday court was Francis Curley of Spring Vale, Tubbercurry who was summoned for possessing the drug at Sligo Gate Filling Station, Collooney on February 2nd 2017.

He admitted the charge and handed in a letter to Judge Kevin Kilrane (right) explaining that he took the drug for medicinal purposes.

Inspector Paul Kilcoyne outlined how a Garda observed a black Land Rover Discovery jeep enter the forecourt of the garage.

It drove around the back before returning to the front and stopped near the entrance obstructing traffic for a minute or so.

The driver appeared to be lost and confused. The Garda approached the jeep and spoke with the driver.

The Garda got what he believed to be a strong smell of cannabis from the jeep.

The driver was asked to get out of his vehicle and he appeared to be nervous and was fidgeting with his hands in which he was holding something.

The jeep was searched and the Garda found a plastic bag on the arm rest which was later discovered to be cannabis.

The driver was cautioned and he admitted that the drug was cannabis and was for his own use.

The value of the drug was €250.

The defendant, who admitted the offence in court, did not have any previous convictions.

Judge Kilrane said the letter handed in to court by the defendant stated that he was using the drug for medicinal purposes.

Due to a condition he had he was in excrutiating pain, the defendant had stated.

Judge Kilrane said the question of the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes was very much in the headlines at present but it was not permitted.

He said he would treat the case as he would deal with other first time offenders with no previous convictions and would apply the Probation Act.