A Judge said he was doing a “most unusual” thing and allowed a man caught with €22,000 worth of cannabis a chance to prove himself.
Donal Duddy of Lettermacaward was caught by Gardai with a complete grow-house for the plants at this home in January 2012.
Gardai had initially caught the 44 year old with a small box of cannabis and €430 in cash as he drove towards Letterkenny.
The took him to Letterkenny Garda station and then traveled to his home in Lettermacaward.
When Gardai then raided his home they found an elaborate growing system in a shed at Duddy’s house.
A lighting and heating system had been set up and 47 plants were found at various stages of growth.
Duddy has also bypassed the electricity meter so not to alert the authorities of the high amount of electricity being used to power the lights.
Weighing scales, humidifiers, heat mats and bags were also found at his home.
Duddy told Gardai he had a heart problem and that is why he could not work.
He began to grow cannabis in 2009 and began to sell it in 2010 to try and make some money out of it.
He also liked to smoke cannabis.
Garda Meabh Logue said Duddy almost felt a wright lifted off his shoulders when he was caught and she did not think he would reoffend.
Judge John O’Hagan said he would normally pass on a two year prison sentence for ‘gardeners’ or people who helped grow the cannabis for bigger players.
However he said he was going to do something unusual in light of Duddy’s health and the support he had received from his family.
He adjourned the case for one year to see how Duddy got on and said he will deal with him then.