Man in Longford who turned to drugs ‘due to pandemic’ caught with €3,000 worth of cannabis
Defendant pleaded guilty at Longford District Court but 'has since turned his life around'
A man who claimed he turned to drugs when he faced mental health difficulties during the pandemic and was caught with over €3,000 worth of cannabis may escape a jail term if he stays out of trouble.
Krzystof Kozlowski (33) of 5 Weavers Hall, Market Square, Longford pleaded guilty at the local district court to being in possession of cannabis valued at €3,050 for sale or supply.
The defendant also admitted being in possession of cannabis resin worth €85.
Sgt Enda Daly said Gardaí received information and they obtained a search warrant on February 25, 2021 and discovered the drugs at his residence.
The defendant admitted ownership of the cannabis.
Solicitor Diarmuid Quinn explained his client was very cooperative when he was interviewed by Gardaí.
"Essentially he was going through a very difficult time mental health-wise, he was attending his GP and it was after the Covid lockdown," he said. "He has since turned his life around and he has worked since this incident in a factory and he is in full-time employment."
Mr Kozlowski had no previous convictions.
Mr Quinn said Mr Kozlowski looks back on that period as a very silly time of his life and he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and would be willing to bring some money to court.
Judge Bernadette Owens issued a destruction order for the drugs and she adjourned the case until February 11, 2025.
She requested Mr Kozlowski on that date to provide letters from his GP, to bring €1,000 to court for the poor box and she indicated if this happened she may be persuaded to deal with it in a manner that will not adversely affect him.