Judge Fiona Brennan gave a man the chance to keep a drug conviction off his record when he appeared before her at Galway District Court on Monday.
The judge was told that his residence in Doughiska was searched by Gardaí on September 2, 2023 and a quantity of cannabis and amphetamine was found in his bedroom. He admitted they were his and that the drugs were for his own use.
His solicitor pleaded that his client was 41 and from Poland. He came to Ireland in 2004 and worked as a night porter in a hotel for a long period. He had two children and he paid maintenance for them.
During a period of illness he began self-medicating with cannabis. He only used amphetamine every couple of months, the defence pleaded, and asked for leniency.
Judge Brennan decided that if the defendant made a €200 contribution to the Little Blue Heroes Charity by May 11 she would not impose a conviction.
If he failed to do so by that day a conviction would be imposed along with a fine of €400.
