Ballina man caught with drugs weeks after Garda raid sentenced to community service
A Ballina man pleaded guilty to nine drug charges after gardaí found €6,100 worth of cannabis, cocaine and MDMA at his home. He was sentenced to 200 hours of community service in lieu of 12 months in prison.
Ballina man caught with drugs weeks after Garda home raid avoids jail term
Westernpeople.ie reports that a Ballina man who was found in possession of cannabis just weeks after gardaí uncovered a substantial drug haul at his home has been sentenced to 200 hours of community service in lieu of 12 months imprisonment.
Fionn Downey, of The Arches, Ballina, pleaded guilty at Ballina District Court to three charges of possession of drugs for sale and supply and six charges of possession for personal use.
Garda Eoin McFadden told the court that members of the Mayo, Roscommon, Longford Divisional Drugs Unit executed a search warrant at Downey's address on July 17, 2024. The search uncovered quantities of cannabis, cocaine and MDMA. Subsequent analysis valued the cannabis at €3,320, the cocaine at €2,450 and the MDMA at €330 — a combined seizure value of €6,100.
Downey was arrested and taken to Ballina Garda Station, where he made admissions to owning the drugs. A thumbprint taken during his arrest also linked him to a separate drug wrapping containing €532 worth of cannabis that had been seized three days earlier, on July 14.
On August 1, 2024 — a few weeks after the home search — Garda Eric Carney observed Downey acting suspiciously on Cathedral Road in Ballina and witnessed him making an exchange with another male before leaving the area. A subsequent search of Downey's address by student garda Patrick Kilcoyne uncovered cannabis later confirmed to be worth €75. Downey admitted the drugs were for his own personal use.
On October 31, 2024, Garda Oisin McDonagh was on mobile patrol when he observed a Vauxhall Zafira being driven by Downey. McDonagh stopped and searched the vehicle, locating a cannabis joint valued at €5. Downey again admitted ownership and said it was for personal use. He has previous convictions, the most recent recorded in 2018.
Garda McFadden told the court that Downey had been cooperative throughout all incidents. He said he was aware that Downey had been "under pressure" due to debt, but described him as "not a dealer."
Defending solicitor Denis Molloy said his client had addressed "risk issues" identified in a probation report by securing long-term employment as a builder and handyman with a tradesperson, who provided a positive testimonial praising Downey's character. Molloy added that Downey had also arranged counselling to deal with addiction problems and had submitted a testimonial from his counsellor.
"This is a young man who has taken practical steps to reform," Molloy told the court.
Judge Ciaran Liddy imposed the 200-hour community service order, directing that Downey must continue to comply with Probation Service directions and remain in full-time employment.
"The probation report says that he needs structure in his life and this will give him structure," said Judge Liddy, who also ordered the destruction of all seized drugs.
Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)