A MAN who had used up the one and only chance offered drug offenders by Galway District Court left the Court with a criminal conviction for possession of cannabis on his record as well as being €250 poorer.
Judge Valerie Corcoran heard that Darragh Mattimoe, 21 Crestwood, Galway was spotted acting suspiciously at Ceannt Station on November 14 last. He was stopped and searched and cannabis to the value of €100 was found on him.
Mattimoe, who defended himself, challenged the quantity stated by the Gardaí, insisting he would not have more than €10’s worth on him.
Judge Corcoran explained that in this case the actual amount stated made little difference to the sentencing. “€10, €20, €30, it’s all the same to me in a possession case” she told him.
Prosecuting Garda Sgt Clare Heneghan said the Gardaí were insistent the value found was €100. She said that the defendant had received the benefit of the Probation Act when he faced a drug charge in the past.
Mattimoe pleaded that this was ten years ago and he had been under stress at the time. He used small amounts of cannabis because he had trouble sleeping and didn’t want to reply on prescription medication.
He told the Judge he worked and earned €700 per week. He was concerned that a drug conviction on his record would impact on work and travel opportunities.
However, Judge Corcoran said her orders won’t vary. She gave one chance and one chance only and she was keeping to that. Mattimoe had received his chance when he got probation ten years before and he was not getting a second. She imposed a conviction and a fine of €250.
Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.
