Tipperary court told man was selling drugs to pay off debt
The judge put the case back to allow the defendant time to make efforts toward recovery
A judge at Nenagh District Court has told a defendant it appeared his efforts at addressing his drug issues were to benefit his case and not the incident he was charged with.
Rourke Gleeson (28) of Tullaheady, Nenagh, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for unlawful sale or supply and possession of cannabis at his home on March 1, 2023.
Sergeant Regina McCarthy told the court that gardaí executed a search warrant at the defendant's home on the day of the incident.
There they found €4,500 worth of cocaine and €1,500 of cannabis as well as associated items.
The court was told the defendant has 27 previous convictions including for offences contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
The solicitor acting for the defendant told the court that his client did not have a history of selling drugs but had incurred a drug debt and was attempting to pay it off.
He said his client was a young man with two children, aged two and four years and did not have a lot of money. His client had pleaded guilty and was “frank and open” with gardaí.
The solicitor said his client had recovered from drug addiction but relapsed last year and is waiting to take a one-month programme once funding becomes available.
The solicitor handed a letter offering employment to the defendant to the court.
He asked the court to “take a chance on his client” who he said might benefit from a probation report.
NO SENSE
However, Judge Fiona Brennan said she would disregard the offer letter and the letter confirming the defendant was engaging with addiction services.
She said the offences were committed in March 2023 but the defendant has only engaged with the services since September 2024.
Judge Brennan said it “simply does not make sense” and it appeared as though the defendant’s efforts were for the benefit of his case and not because of the incident.
The judge said she would not order a probation report but would put the matter back nine months to allow the defendant to complete his residential drug programme and find employment.
She said that if either was not complete by July 24, 2025, it would be for the court to decide what happens next.