Man fined €500 after guards found 'a large quantity of drugs' at his home

A Newtowncunningham man has been fined after Gardai raided his home and found a large quantity of drugs.

Joshua Friel appeared at Letterkenny District Court charged with having drugs for sale or supply. Gardai raided the now 25-year-old's home at Castle Park, Newtowncunningham on July 29, 2021.

In the bedroom of his home they found a bag containing 15 'deals' of cannabis as well as a digital scales and a large quantity of liquid cannabis. The substances were sent to the state laboratory and it was confirmed the quantity of the liquid cannabis was enough for 75 deals.

The total value of the drugs was put at €800. The court was told that Friel was cooperative when arrested. His solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said the case had been some time coming before the court as the drugs were being analysed.

He said his client was apologetic and that he had not come before the courts since. Judge Eiteain Cunningham said it has seemed that there was an operation going on as there had been drug deals ready for the open market.

She convicted Friel and fined him a total of €500 allowing him five months to pay noting he had no previous convictions and had not been in trouble since.