Laois man who flushed cannabis down toilet gets suspended sentence and probation

A Portlaoise man who admitted possessing cannabis for both personal use and sale or supply has received a suspended seven-month sentence and a probation order.

Laois man who flushed cannabis down toilet gets suspended sentence and probation

A 43-year-old Portlaoise resident who admitted to having cannabis for his own use and for passing on to others has been handed a suspended jail term and placed under probation supervision.

James McInerney, of Lake Drive, Kilminchy, appeared before Portlaoise District Court after previously pleading guilty to the two drug-related counts. The offences arose from a garda search of his home on 10 December last year.

During that operation, officers discovered a plastic bag containing cannabis submerged in a toilet bowl. The court heard that McInerney had not been present when the search began, but returned while it was underway and, in a rush, disposed of the drugs in the lavatory.

Garda Sergeant Kirby told the court that the accused began using cannabis to ease a back problem, which escalated into a habit. He accumulated debts to suppliers and then distributed the substance to a small circle to cover those costs. The defendant has 42 prior convictions.

With the defendant's agreement, Judge Susan Fay finalised the matter in the absence of a solicitor, as legal representatives are currently in dispute with the Department of Justice.

For the supply-related count, she imposed a seven-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years on the condition that McInerney attends substance-abuse programmes arranged by the probation service. He protested that he neither uses drugs nor drinks, but the judge proceeded.

On the lesser charge of possession for personal use, a 12-month probation supervision order was imposed, requiring him to participate in all services directed by probation officers.

Source: Laois Nationalist

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