UPDATE: Contested Kildare cannabis court case sent forward for trial

A contested legal case involving a suspected drugs haul of €106,000 worth of cannabis has been sent forward for trial.

Last year, the court was told by gardaí that Thomas Harrington, with an address given as 5 Ruanbeg Close in Kildare town, was accused of storing the haul at his home in February of 2022.

When the case last appeared before Judge Desmond Zaidan (last month), he marked the case for entry, while the 39-year-old accused insisted to gardaí that he runs a vape business, and 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.

Mr Harrington's solicitor, David Powderly, had previously voiced criticism over delays in the case.

On the latest court date (Thursday, June 15), after a book of evidence was officially furnished by gardaí, Judge Desmond Zaidan sent the case forward for trial at the next sittings of Naas Circuit Criminal Court, which commenced on June 20.