Longford court hears man has turned his life around

A young man has turned his life around and is now free of drugs, the recent sitting of Longford District Court heard.

Callum Whelan of Castien, Caldaragh, Carrick on Shannon was charged with possession of cocaine and possession for sale of supply on October 7, 21 at the townland of Mullagh, on the N5, Longford.

Defence solicitor John Quinn said his client is free of drugs and there was a report outlining how well he had done.

Sergeant Enda Daly noted it was “favourable”.

The defendant has the full support of his mother and has completed the necessary courses and is now free of drugs.

“He is a young man who has responded positively and has completed all the courses. Going forward we don’t anticipate any problems with drugs,” Mr Quinn said.

Judge Bernadette Owens noted that there had been no repeat offences since the incident before the court. The defendant had also entered an early plea of guilt, engaged with treatment and has the support of his family.

He had no previous convictions before the incident and has not come to garda attention since.

If the defendant pays a sum of €1,500 to the court poor box, then the matter will be struck out.

Judge Owens said the defendant had done everything she had asked of him.

“He will get one chance, but he won’t get it again,” she said.