Laois man claims to have cut drugs use by 75% 

An unemployed man was found to be in possession of cannabis by gardaí on three occasions, the recent sitting of Portlaoise District Court heard. 

Ryan Wallart (26) with an address at an apartment above Rhythm n Booze, Spa Street, Portarlington was charged with possession of cannabis on three occasions. 

Garda sergeant JJ Kirby outlined to the court that in one incident at his address on February 11 last, the defendant was found to be in possession of €280 in a bedside locker, which he said was for his own use. On two other occasions he was found to be in possession of amounts of cannabis worth €20  and €100

He was initially caught by undercover detectives. 

Defence solicitor Philip Meagher said his client is a single man, who lives with his mother. He had no previous convictions. He is looking for work, but does not draw social welfare as he felt he “would become lazy” and then not look for work. 

The defendant has been attempting to wean himself off drugs. 

“He is now using about 25% of what he was using at the height of his drug use,” Mr Meagher said. 

The defendant becomes agitated when he stops using the drugs but he is “trying to knock it on the head, completely,” Mr Meagher said. 

The defendant needs to engage with the probation services, Judge Deirdre Gearty said. 

“He is a young man, he should be doing something productive,” she said. 

“It would be appropriate to have a little more analysis on the situation,” she added. 

The case was adjourned to February 15, 2024 for a probation report. 

“If there is a repeat offence then there will be difficulty from the court’s point of view,” Judge Gearty said.