KILDARE: Case involving suspected €106K cannabis haul marked for entry against the state

A Naas District Court case involving a suspected €106,000 cannabis haul has been marked for entry against the state, following previous delays.

Judge Desmond Zaidan made the decision on Thursday, May 18, in relation to the case involving Thomas Harrington, of 5 Ruanbeg Close in Kildare town.

Last year, the court was told by gardaí that the 39-year-old was found to be in possession of the suspected haul.

However, on the latest date, Mr Harrington, who runs a vape business, maintained that the haul was not cannabis, but was in fact 'CBD' (cannabidiol), which is derived from cannabis.

According to garda.ie, under current Misuse of Drugs legislation, 'products containing THC are strictly controlled and possession is unlawful except under licence.'

However, since it is not a psychoactive substance, it is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs legislation, and therefore does not require a Ministerial Licence.

The accused also said that he has co-operated with gardaí since the beginning of the investigation, while a garda told Judge Zaidan that the investigation was a 'complicated' one.

On the latest date, defending barrister Aisling Murphy applied for a strike-out in the case, but the judge denied this.

However, he marked the case for entry against the State.

The case will resume on June 15, and the judge remanded Mr Harrington on continuing bail until this date.

A book of evidence is also due to be served on this date.