Longford District Court Judge accepts jurisdiction

A man alleged to have been growing cannabis in a bedroom of his house in 2021 will return before Longford District Court on July 11.

Enrico Gismondo (34) of Annagh , Drumlish, Longford was charged with the unlawful possession of cannabis and the cultivation of cannabis. Judge Bernadette Owens asked for details of the matter before deciding on jurisdiction.

Sergeant Conor McShane said that on April 15, 2021 officers conducted a search of the defendant's premises under the misuse of drugs act.

That search recovered 10 cannabis plants in an upstairs bedroom and a small quantity in another part of the house. The defendant admitted ownership of the drugs.

Sgt McShane said the small quantity of cannabis was valued at €50, while the estimated potential value of the plants in the bedroom was €8,000. The defendant's solicitor said the plants seized in the raid were “seedlings, just baby plants”.

Judge Owens observed, “So he was nursing them along?”

The judge said she would accept jurisdiction and noted that disclosure had already been furnished by the prosecution. The defendant's solicitor said the matter “won't be troubling the court for too long”.

Judge Owens adjourned the matter to July 11 for a plea or a date for hearing.