“Young people may think it’s just a bit of cannabis or cocaine, but they need to take into consideration what the consequences of a drug conviction are for them, not only for their health but for education and travel as well.”
This was the warning issued by Judge Adrian Harris at Galway District Court this week when dealing with a young man charged with possession of cocaine.
His solicitor pleaded that her client had just started work for a multi-national company and a conviction for a drugs offence would have very serious consequences for him as such companies take a dim view of such matters.
The Court was told that when the defendant was 19, he was in a taxi which was stopped by Gardaí. He was seen to discard an object and this was found to be a bag containing cocaine. He was arrested and a subsequent search while in Garda custody revealed a further four bags of cocaine on his person. He insisted they were for his own personal use and was co-operative with Gardaí.
Olivia Traynor solr. (defending ) pleaded that her client was now 20, had no previous convictions and it was now a year and a half since his arrest and he had not come to Garda attention during that time. She pleaded for leniency as a drugs conviction would have very serious consequences for him with regard to his employment.
Judge Harris said the young man was working and making a contribution towards society and he hoped he had a long and successful career ahead of him. He said he had made the point repeatedly that people needed to consider the consequences when it comes to illegal drugs.
He said he would give the defendant a chance in the hope that he would not be seen in Court again. He struck out the charge on condition that a €600 donation be paid to Claddagh Watch Patrol.
