Mountcharles resident told by judge to 'take responsibility' after drugs fines

Judge Eiteáin Cunningham told a Mountcharles resident that it was time for him to “step up and take responsibility” after fining him a combined €350 for two separate drug offences. 

Declan Kane, 31, of Drimcoe, Mountcharles, Donegal, appeared at a Donegal District Court sitting at Ballyshannon Courthouse for two separate unlawful drug possession charges. 

Kane, who had one previous conviction, was found contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and contrary to 27 (1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as substituted by Section 6 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1984.

On August 23, 2024, at Kilmacreddan, Inver, Kane was found to have unlawfully had possession of cocaine, for which he was fined €250 and given five months to pay by Judge Cunningham.

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Judge Cunningham also fined Kane €100, for which he was given five months to pay, after he was found to have unlawfully had possession of cannabis in Cranny Lower, Inver, on February 23, 2025.   

Mr Gerry McGovern, solicitor for Kane, told the Court: “He co-operated fully with the Gardaí. 

“He is a father of one child. He tells me that he doesn’t really drink and got used to taking cannabis and other substances, and finds it difficult to give up these other substances, whilst he did curtail his drinking.”

Judge Cunningham told Kane: “I am told you have a child. It is time for you to step up and take responsibility for that child.”