Offaly man warned of prison sentence if he breaks drug laws again

A YOUNG man who has twice pleaded guilty to having drugs for sale or supply was warned that he is at risk of going to prison.

“On his third he'll be serving time,” Judge Andrew Cody told Dylan Cole (22), Killane, Edenderry, after a guilty plea was entered to possession cannabis for sale or supply to others at Killane Drive, Edenderry on March 29 last.

Sergeant Justine Reilly told Tullamore District Court that 60 grams of cannabis, with an estimated value of €1,600, was found when a search warrant was executed.

Sergeant Reilly said Mr Cole made admissions and said the drug was for his own personal use.

Defending solicitor Aisling Maloney said her client had been before the court on similar charges recently and she reminded Judge Cody that he had ordered a probation report and urine tests.

Sergeant Reilly confirmed to the judge that the new charge was the man's second under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act which relates to having controlled drugs for sale or supply to others.

Judge Cody said he would remand Mr Cole on continuing bail to February 10 next, as he had done on the previous occasion but warned him to be very careful.

Mr Cole's other guilty plea related to possession of cannabis and obstructing a garda at Killane Drive, Edenderry on July 1 last.

Tullamore District Court heard that Garda John McCrossan observed Mr Cole coming from his home address and noticed he appeared to be smoking cannabis.

When Garda McCrossan informed him he was going to be searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act he “immediately began to run” and discarded a package.

The value of cannabis seized was €800.

At that court sitting Ms Maloney said that while her client was partaking in cannabis at the time of the offence he was no longer doing so and was “absolutely clean now”.

The solicitor said Mr Cole would welcome the opportunity to prove that and would provide clean urine tests.

Ms Maloney asked that sentencing be adjourned so that a probation report could be prepared.

Judge Cody remanded Mr Cole on continuing bail to appear in court again on February 10 next for a probation and welfare report.

He ordered him to undergo urine tests each month from October to January at his own cost.

(Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme)