Longford man on drugs charge told to pay up
A man found with €50 worth of cannabis in a Longford housing estate last year has been told he must pay €350 in compensation to avoid a criminal conviction.
Eoin Duggan, of 48 Grian Ard, Ardnacassa, Co Longford, was stopped by gardaí on May 25 last year at around 9:30pm in the Springlawn area of Longford town.
Sgt Mark Mahon said the accused was stopped at around 9:30pm, but was cooperative to gardaí when admitting the cannabis was his to consume.
The court heard the 22-year-old had no previous convictions for drugs.
“He is now working full time in a restaurant and doing really well,” said defence solicitor Bríd Mimnagh
She continued her client’s mitigation by asking the court if a donation to the court poor box might be considered as a suitable penalty.
Judge Bernadette Owens said she would be seeking €350 and if Mr Duggan failed to come up with that sum, a fine of €200 with four months to pay.