Suspended prison sentence for Kilkenny dealer who ‘turned his life around’

A drug dealer who has taken ‘substantial steps to turn his life around’ was handed down a suspended sentence at Kilkenny Circuit Court.

Jason O’Regan, 2 Leggettsrath, Dublin Road, Kilkenny had previously pleaded guilty to the sale and supply of drugs contrary to section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Facts were heard last May before Judge Catherine Staines at Kilkenny Circuit Court and matters were adjourned for a year.

On Thursday the defendant appeared in court for sentencing.

Detective Garda Liam Murphy told the court that there were four counts of section 15 before the court. The garda outlined how on July 26, 2020 gardaí were on patrol when they observed a vehicle driving past them which was missing its front and back lights. The gardaí followed the vehicle and it pulled in and stopped at Lavistown. The defendant, who was driving the vehicle, was known to gardaí and the vehicle was searched.

Paraphernalia

A shopping bag was located in the back seat of the vehicle which contained a glass jar. Gardaí located drugs in the jar, along with a weighing scales and other paraphernalia. The court heard that the accused made admissions in respect of the contents of the jar and told the gardaí that there was ‘a lot of different stuff’ including weed, cocaine and MDMA.

responsibility

The defendant took full responsibility for the drugs in the vehicle and said that he had a drugs problem at the time and owed a drugs debt of €10,000. Garda Murphy told the court that the defendant made ‘full and frank admissions’. He told gardaí that he made €600 per week from dealing which he used to pay off his drug debt.

Garda Murphy outlined to the court that the contents of the jar included 24 bags of cannabis herb valued at €864, 25 deals of cocaine valued at €174 and four bags of the designer drug ethylone worth €190. The total value of the drugs seized was €3158.93 and the defendant admitted that the drugs were for sale and supply.

Previous convictions

The court heard that the defendant has 38 previous convictions, including nine for possession of drugs for personal use, one for cultivation of drugs and four for the sale and supply of drugs.

The defendant hasn’t come to garda attention since the offences before the court.

Defence barrister, David Roberts said that at the time his client had been involved in ‘low level drug dealing in Kilkenny’ and that there was ‘no trappings of wealth’.

Probation report

The defendant has been in full time employment for the past year and is in a long term relationship. Mr Roberts also said that a toxicology report, which was handed into the court, indicated a negative result for drugs. A positive probation report was also handed into the court.

The judge remarked that the defendant had taken ‘substantial efforts’ to take 2222 chance that the court had afforded him by adjourning sentencing for a year. The judge cited the positive letter which was handed into the court from his employer which described him as ‘a valued employee’ and also said that the defendant has not come to garda attention since and is free from intoxicants.

Judgement

The judge also referenced the probation report before the court that the defendant has cut his ties from past anti-social acquaintances and has expressed remorse for his actions.

“It would appear that he has taken substantial steps to turn his life around,” said the judge.

The judge convicted the defendant and imposed a two year sentence which he suspended fully on condition that the defendant enter a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years and that he remain under the supervision of the probation services and comply with all directions from them.