Dundalk court: Suspended sentence for having cannabis for sale or supply

A young man with no previous convictions, who told gardai who had searched his then home that he was minding the drugs seized ‘as a favour’ to someone else, has been given a three year suspended sentence at Dundalk Circuit Court.

John McNally (24) with an address at the time at Dunbin, Knockbridge pleaded guilty to having cannabis for sale or supply on August 18th 2020.

The court had previously heard how the defendant told gardaí who executed a search warrant that they would find weed in a drawer in his bedroom.

Cannabis with an estimated street value at the time of over €7,200 was recovered. A bong and pipe were also found along with a small set of weighing scales and a diary with first names and money noted down.

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After being arrested on suspicion of having the drug for sale or supply, John McNally told gardai "I’ve been holding it”.

He estimated it was worth between two and three thousand euro and he had intended "to hold it until they wanted it" and at no stage did he say who ‘they’ were.

The investigating Garda told Judge Dara Hayes she would be sceptical about the account of holding the drugs as a favour given the amount but she confirmed that she accepted it was not for street dealing.

The court heard the defendant had no previous convictions and had not come to garda attention since, while the Defence barrister said the names portrayed as a tick-list, were names from a raffle at his client’s work.The case was put back for the defendant to undergo urinalysis.

Judge Hayes noted he was assessed as being at low risk of reoffending, and severed all ties with his previous associates and has agreed to engage with the North Louth drug outreach services.

He imposed a three year sentence which he suspended in full subject to John McNally placing himself under the supervision of the Probation Service for 12 months and engaging in any treatment that may be directed.