A man with a previously unblemished record not only had to face the sanction of Galway District Court but the wrath of his wife, Judge Valerie Corcoran was told, when he appeared before her on a charge of possession of cocaine.
The court heard that the defendant was spotted acting suspiciously by Gardaí in the city at 12.40am on April 18 last. He was stopped and searched and a small plastic bag containing cocaine to the value of €70 was found on him.
Olivia Traynor solicitor (defending ) pleaded that her client is 33 and had never been in trouble with the Gardaí before in his life. He appreciated he had made a stupid mistake and not only had to face the consequences of his arrest, but the wrath of his wife as well.
She added that he worked full-time, was soon to become a father for the first time and had been very compliant with the Gardaí after his arrest.
Judge Corcoran, summing up, said possession of any amount of cocaine was serious and she was not condoning the defendant’s behaviour, but she was taking into account his age and the fact that he had no previous convictions, so she would spare him a serious criminal conviction on his record if he made a €500 donation to Galway Hospice.
When the donation was handed over the Judge struck out the charge and told the defendant: “Don’t come back. You get one chance and one chance only.”
This article is funded by Comisiún na Meán.
