A YOUNG tree surgeon was given a chance to avoid a drug conviction on his record when he was given the opportunity on his first offence to make a donation to the Court poor box.
Ciaran Dumper, 53 Pairc na Rí, Athenry faced two charges of possession of cannabis when his case came before Judge Valerie Corcoran at Galway District Court.
The Court heard that the defendant was to receive an adult caution from the Gardaí on one charge and was pleading guilty to the second.
Gardaí were on patrol at Ceannt Station on September 24 last at 16.20pm when they encountered Dumper. He had a single joint of cannabis in his possession valued at €30. It was accepted by the prosecution that it was for his own personal use.
The defendant is 20, works as a tree surgeon and had no previous convictions, his solicitor pleaded.
Olivia Traynor solr (defending ) said her client was not as used to the system as some who came before the Court. He is, she added, “not clued in” and asked for leniency as this was his first offence.
Judge Corcoran said that while it was a small amount of cannabis, this was not about the amount, it was about cannabis being illegal.
However, she agreed to give him a chance on his first offence if he made a €300 contribution to the Court Poor Box. But she said this opportunity should be kept on record in case he reoffended and comes before the Court again.
Ms Traynor said the Court was being very fair towards her client.
This article is funded by Comisiún na Meán.
