Perils of smoking cannabis

A MAN who was caught with a small amount of cannabis herb has been warned by a judge he won’t get a chance if he is caught again.

Judge Flann Brennan warned Patrick McCormack (29) to stay away from drugs as ‘drugs are a scourge.’

‘Every week in the courts there are loads of people whose lives have quite obviously been ruined from smoking cannabis,’ said Judge Brennan.

‘And they haven’t even proceeded to the hard drugs. Cannabis does damage and the kind of people involved in the drugs trade are those who maim, kill and cause mayhem for nothing but money and drugs.’

Judge Brennan gave McCormack, of Beechwood Drive, Marley’s Lane the benefit of the Probation Act after he pleaded guilty to being in unlawful possession of €15 worth of cannabis on June 10th, 2016 at Marley’s Lane.

Gardai stopped a car McCormack was in and got a strong smell of cannabis. The car and McCormack were searched and the cannabis was found on his person.

McCormack, who has no previous convictions, admitted it was for his own personal use.

Defence solicitor Dermot Monahan said McCormack is ‘embarrassed and ashamed’ to be in court.

‘It has been a sobering experience for him and I have warned him of the perils of smoking cannabis,’ said Mr Monahan.