Man who grew cannabis has taken chance offered
A 26-year-old man who admitted to Gardaí he began growing cannabis because he found it too expensive to buy has been given 240 hours of community service on charges of having the drug for sale or supply.
Sentencing in the case of Thomas Ward of Kilross, Ballygawley had been adjourned at Sligo Circuit Court from last July.
At that court he had pleaded guilty to one count relating to a search of the family home on October 23rd 2015 and another premises, a derelict cottage in Geevagh the next day.
Ward was represented by Mr Keith O’Grady BL with Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor while Ms Dara Foynes BL with State Solicitor Mr Hugh Sheridan, prosecuting.
Gardaí obtained warrants to search the home of the defendant at Kilross where he lived with his parents.
His father ran a business from the home.
A car at the rear of the home in Kilross was searched and in the boot there was a shoebox containing cannabis herb. There were also three other jars containing cannabis herb in the vehicle. Light fittings, jars and a weighing scales were also found in a jeep.
On the 24 th, cannabis plants were found at a derelict property in Geevagh. Fourteen of the 15 plants were viable and were found growing in baths.
Jars and mobile phones were also found during the search. Ward said he had an addiction to cannabis and was growing if himself as it was too expensive to buy. He admitted giving cannabis to his friends.
He looked up the internet on how to grow the cannabis and bought the equipment in Northern Ireland.
Judge Keenan Johnson adjourned sentencing and ordered the defendant to undergo continued supervision of the probation service.
He was also required to provide monthly urine analysis.
If he remained drug free and co-operated, a 240 hour community service order would be imposed in lieu of a three year jail term. At last week’s sitting of the court, Judge Johnson said there was a probation report in court and the urine analysis report showed the defendant was clear of drugs.
“He appears to be taking the chance given,” said the Judge.
He imposed a community service order of 240 hours in lieu of a three year jail term.