A young man was given a chance to keep a serious drug conviction off his record when he came before Judge Valerie Corcoran at Galway District Court.
The 24-year-old was residing in homeless accommodation in the Knocknacarra area when Gardaí raided it and found cocaine to the value of €130 there. He admitted it was his and for his personal use.
His solicitor pleaded that his client was a young father with one child. Although he was in homeless accommodation at the time of his arrest, he was now doing very well.
This was his first such offence and he was in a position to make a contribution to the court poor box if he could, as he was anxious to avoid having a drug conviction on his record, the solicitor pleaded, adding that he was currently looking for work.
Judge Corcoran said this was a serious drug charge but she was satisfied he’d not come to the attention of the Gardaí since his arrest and had no other conviction except one road traffic matter. He was married with one child, so she would consider leniency on his first charge.
Adjourning the case until July 20 to give him time to raise a €400 donation to Pieta House, the judge said she would strike out the charge if he did so.
If he fails to make the donation then she will impose a conviction and a fine of €400.
