A Judge has warned a small-time Co Donegal drug-dealer that his actions were helping to fuel serious crime such as that experienced in Drogheda and Dublin in recent weeks.
Judge Paul Kelly made his comments at Letterkenny District Court when sentencing a Lifford man who pleaded guilty to the sale and supply of drugs.
Shane McNulty was a passenger in a car which was stopped by Gardai at Daly’s Service Station in Lifford on October 9th, 2017.
Gardai found a bag with cannabis in the car and McNulty admitted it was his.
A follow-up search of his home at Hollybush, Lifford uncovered almost €600 worth of cannabis in his bedroom.
Solicitor for the accused, Mr Frank Dorrian, said McNulty had an unfortunate set of circumstances and was trying to go straight.
He explained how the accused had been selling the drugs in order to fund a SafePass course but had lost two fingers in a car accident and could no longer do manual labour.
Before that, he had been involved in a number of other car accidents which had left him with a brain injury.
However, Judge Kelly said it was exactly this type of behaviour which was fuelling the drugs industry.
“His drug dealing may have been on the smaller end of the scale but they are all connected to substantial criminal networks.
“These are the exact people who have no problem to resorting to appalling violence. If you are buying a joint at a street corner or selling a few deals of cannabis then you are supporting that endevour.
“The shocking and sordid events in Dublin and Drogheda are the type of mess people get into when they get involved in the sale of drugs,” he warned.
He adjourned McNulty’s case until April 2nd next to allow for a Probation and Welfare Service report.