A 22-year-old father of one, who was detected with cocaine and cannabis in his possession with the intent to supply the cocaine, was jailed for three months at Castlebar District Court on Wednesday.
Garda Russell Gibbons outlined that on May 19 2009 he received confidential information that cocaine was for sale and supply at the residence of Keith Ring, 48A Garryduff Drive, Castlebar. A search warrant was executed and 40.534 grams of cannabis was found in a bedroom in the house and 4.656 grams of cocaine was found in four separate deal bags in the defendant’s car. Electronic weighting scales and 100 empty dealing bags were also found in a bedroom and a tick list with names and numbers was found in the car. The street value of the cocaine was €325.92 and the street value of the cannabis herb was €232.54.
Solicitor for Ring, Aidan Crowley, said that his client is addicted to cannabis, which he started taking when he was 15, and takes cocaine now and again. Ring has attended addiction counsellors but to no avail. Mr Crowley also said that Ring was supplying some friends with cocaine.
Ring was also before the court for a public order and criminal damage charge which took place in Ballyhaunis, the details of which were heard at a previous court sitting.
Judge Mary Devins convicted and fined Ring, who has previous convictions, €500 for the intent to sell or supply cocaine and sentenced him to three months in prison. For the possession of cocaine the defendant was convicted and fined €300 and sentenced to three months in prison concurrent. The section three possession of cannabis was taken into consideration. Ring was also sentenced to three months in prison concurrent for the criminal damage charge.
