A YOUNG man enjoying summer festivities in the city had a Garda sniffer dog put an end to the party when it detected cocaine on his person.
Galway District Court heard that after the dog indicated he had the drug in his possession at University Road, he fled the scene, but was followed and arrested by the Gardaí. The Court wasn’t told if the dog took part in the hunt.
Olivia Traynor solr (defending ) said her client just got a fright when he was found out and ran.
He is 24, working full-time and has no previous convictions, she pleaded, adding he just made a stupid decision on the night when he was in town enjoying the Arts Festival.
She said that her client was compliant with arresting Gardaí – after they caught him.
She said the matter had scared him and he hadn’t gone near drugs since, pleading for her client to be given a chance on his first time before the Court.
Judge Valerie Corcoran said that running from the Gardaí did not impress her but everybody deserved one chance. She agreed with the defence that he had got a fright and on the basis of it being a first offence she would give him one chance and one chance only, warning the defendant that if he came before her again he could expect no leniency from her.
The charge was struck out on condition he make a €500 contribution to the Court poor box.
