A mature student studying English and Irish at UCC was told he was getting one chance and one chance only on his first drug charge, and was warned not to be back before Galway District Court again.
Judge Valerie Corcoran issued her warning when the 27-year-old student pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine to the value of €150.
The defendant was fully cooperative with Gardaí, so much so that he showed them where the drug was hidden when they raided an address in Bohermore on July 9 last.
His solicitor pleaded that “he couldn’t have been more cooperative with Gardaí,” and this was his first offence.
The Judge said she was impressed that the defendant had invited Gardaí into the property and showed them where the cocaine was and that at 27 he had no previous convictions.
“I, in no way, condone cocaine in any circumstances, but given his age and that he’s in his final year in college, I’ll give him one chance,” she said.
On condition he made a €300 charitable donation to Galway Simon, she struck out the charge.
This article is funded by Comisiún na Meán.
