Westmeath man with 94 convictions hit with drugs fine in Longford District Court

A man with close to 100 previous convictions has been fined €300 for cocaine possession.

Sean Munnelly, 1 Allens Apartments, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeath picked up his 94th conviction at Longford District Court last week following an incident at Dublin Street, Longford on July 17, 2021.

Mr Munnelly, who is in custody in connection to an unrelated matter, pleaded guilty before presiding Judge Bernadette Owens.

Defending, Frank Gearty, said Mr Munnelly was an individual who has had his fair share of personal challenges.

“He is a person who has had a very serious addiction problem, a problem that has moved into cocaine,” he said.

Without going into the finer details of the reason behind Mr Munnelly's present spell on remand, Mr Gearty said it was a “serious issue” that “affects others as well as himself”.

He said despite his incacercetion, Mr Munnelly is “thriving” behind bars.

Mr Gearty said he was happy to reveal his client w as in a “much better place” since the alleged offence before the court.

“He has totally cleaned himself up,” he said, adding Mr Munnelly's mother and sister were also in court to support him.

Judge Owens consequently fined Mr Munnelly €300 to be payable forthwith or five days in default.

A previous court sitting had heard how Mr Munnelly had opted to enter a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity in an attempt to push through a transfer to Castlerea Prison.

A second, unrelated charge, relating to an alleged trespass charge at 50 Silver Birches, Stonepark, Longford on April 2 2022, Mr Munnelly has already pleaded not guilty to.

That casewas adjourned to February 28, 2023.