A JUDGE has issued a severe warning as to the consequences of a drugs conviction on a young person’s record which could impact future travel, education and career ambitions even before the obvious health implications are considered.
Judge Adrian Harris issued his warning at the September 1 sitting of Galway District Court when he gave a number of first-time offenders the benefit of the doubt, and allowed them make donations to the Claddagh River Watch charity instead of recording a drugs conviction and saddling them with criminal records.
However, he warned that this leniency would not be extended to anyone who came before him on subsequent drugs charges.
Judge Harris was concerned that many young people dabbling with drugs may not be fully aware that a conviction on their record could mean it unlikely they could travel to many countries, including the USA and Australia.
It could also have very serious repercussions when it comes to applying for educational courses and for employment prospects. He stressed that these considerations came in addition to the health risks involved.
The Judge gave several first-time offenders before him the chance to avoid a criminal record but was emphatic that this was a once-off opportunity and would not be repeated if they came before him on similar charges again.
One defendant, a trainee accountant, who benefitted in this regard, was described as a promising young sportsman who was found by Gardai with cocaine valued at €140 at Foster Court, Galway on March 15 last.
He had no previous convictions and the arresting Garda said he was “a sound lad”. The Court heard that he could have received an adult caution but for the nature of the drug. He paid €250 to charity in lieu of a conviction.
Another first-time offender was described as a manager in a Galway business and his defence pleaded a conviction wouldn’t bode well for his career now or in the future.
He was found in possession of two MDMA (Ecstasy ) tablets at Woodquay on April 21 last. His defence pleaded that he’d been at a concert the night before and this was a one-off experiment.
“Does he realise he’ll get one opportunity and one opportunity only?” Judge Harris said before allowing him make a €200 contribution to charity.
