Drugs possession

A young man who was on a night out with friends after their class finished decided to buy cocaine with his friends and was subsequently caught by gardaí trying to sell it back to his friends. Mark McGoldrick (25) with an address in Ballydrehid, Ballisodare, Co Sligo pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of drugs and also possession of drugs for sale or supply.

Inspector Donal Sweeney told the court that garda Mark Irwin was on patrol at 3:10am on March 16 th 2017 on Castle Street when he saw a male attempt to sell drugs to another male.

He searched them and discovered two bags of white powder. The defendant admitted it was cocaine. It was subsequently tested and had a value of €181.

Defending solicitor Mr Gerard McGovern said his client was a hardworking young man and was nearing his apprenticeship as an electrician in which he hopes to go on and work in.

On the day in question the class he was with had finished and they were out in town.

He was the only local man in the group. The group decided to buy cocaine and the defendant was given €150 and bought it.

Later on in the night he said to the other man that he was going home and asked him if he would buy it back off him.

The garda overheard this and didn’t know they were mates and Mr McGoldrick admitted it was cocaine to the garda.

Mr McGovern said he asked him if he ever used drugs and he said he had in the past but that was all behind him.

Mr McGovern said it was a big shock for him being in court and an even bigger shock for his parents, both of whom were sitting in the back of the court.

He asked Judge Kevin Kilrane if he could deal with it in some way so as not to destroy his life. He said that many electricians go to Canada or Australia after they qualify.

The judge said the aggravating factors were the defendant was obviously peddling cocaine and he said he noted the suggestion that he took possession of it and was attempting to sell it back but that what he was doing was illegal.

He said he was not a teenager, he was a 25-year-old and should know better.

He said the mitigating factors were that he had no previous convictions, had pleaded guilty and the amount was relatively small.

He said his parents had come to court and that was a healthy sign.

He said he was about to finish a qualification in a trade and that speaks well.

The judge said a conviction against him in the future would be a nail for the rest of his days.

He said he will give him a chance and adjourned the case until October 4 th for a Probation Report.

Mr McGovern said that they were obliged.