Cannabis found under seat of car was there from previous charge

AN Enniscorthy man charged with possession of cannabis told the court that what gardaí found under the seat of his car were the leftovers from a grinder which had been there since before a previous drugs charge last year.

Thomas Brennan (20) of Shroughmore, Ballindaggin, was present in court and pleaded guilty to possessing the cannabis, which gardaí said had a value of €15. However, in mit- igation, Brennan’s solicitor Mr John Burke O’Leary said that his client had not used cannabis since a previous conviction from last year, and these were merely ‘ leftovers’ under his seat.

‘I’m told that what gardaí found under Mr Brennan’s seat is called “keef” and it is the leftovers of grinding cannabis,’ Mr Burke O’Leary said. ‘I accept that he was very stupid not to clean it up, but it was remnants from be- fore a previous charge that was before the court in September. My client says that he has not used drugs since March’ - when he was found in possession of drugs by gardaí.

‘If he didn’t clean the car out since his last conviction, then that’s negligent,’ said Judge Gerard Haughton.

‘It was under the seat of his car Judge,’ Mr Burke O’Leary responded. ‘I wouldn’t have cleaned under the seat of my car since that time I’m sorry to say.’

Upon hearing the mitigation, Judge Haughton opted to give Brennan the opportunity to avoid a conviction by making a donation of €100 to the Cornmarket project, which he duly did.

‘Tell him to clean out his car Mr O’Leary,’ the Judge said in conclusion. ‘I won’t be interested in this excuse next time.’