‘Man of the arts’ had €1,250 worth of cannabis in home

A 36-year-old man who had €1,250 worth of cannabis in his house when gardaí searched it, was buying it to feed his habit, Sligo District Court heard.

Daniel Carolan, of 20 Market House, Market Yard, was before last Thursday’s sitting of Sligo District Court charged with possession of cannabis and also possession of the drug for the purpose of selling or otherwise on May 30 th 2019.

Sergeant Derek Butler told Judge Kevin Kilrane that gardaí from the drugs unit had obtained a search warrant for the house at 20 Market House, Market Yard.

They carried out a search on the date in question.

Sergeant Butler told the court that here was one male present when they arrived to carry out the search.

They located €1,250 worth of cannabis and the defendant was subsequently arrested and brought to Ballymote Garda Station. He had no previous convictions. Defending solicitor Mr Gerard McGovern told the court his client had co-operated fully with gardaí and had written a five-page statement in which he made admissions.

Mr McGovern said his client was buying cannabis to feed his habit and he was sell- ing some to some friends.

He said that looking at the case he was guilty but that he was not a dealer and not involved in large quantities.

He said his client was always working of of it his up until Covid-19 and was as he described a man of the arts.

Mr McGovern said he was from what he would describe as a new generation but that he was not a dealer.

Sergeant Butler also told the judge that Carolan did make full admissions and co-operated fully with gardaí.

Judge Kilrane enquired if gardaí had discovered any paraphernalia such as phones and cash in the house and Sergeant Butler replied that they had not found such items.

Mr McGovern told the judge his client was pleading to both charges but that he was asking him to consider the second charge as it would have a big impact on his client’s future.

Judge Kilrane said that he would strike out that charge and on the possession of cannabis charge, he convicted the defendant and fined him €300.

Mr McGovern told the judge that they were most thankful and Carolan also said the same.