A Letterkenny man was found with over €1,500 worth of drugs after a failure to indicate at a roundabout sparked a chain of events leading to a raid at his home.
Jay Walsh, who was before Letterkenny District Court on drugs charges, was fined €750.
A 31-year-old of The Maples, Letterkenny, Walsh was stopped by gardai, who were on mobile patrol, on February 6, 2021 at 11.50am.
Walsh, who was driving a Toyota Auris, failed to indicate when exiting a roundabout and was pulled in by gardai at New Line Road, Letterkenny.
After being brought to Letterkenny Garda Station, Walsh was searched and €100 worth of cocaine was located on his person. Sergeant Jim Collins said the accused was fully cooperative and told officers that the drugs were for his own use.
Gardai obtained a search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act and swooped on Walsh’s home, at The Maples, Letterkenny.
Detectives found 77.7 grams of cannabis, valued at €1,554. The drugs were seized and Walsh said they were for his own use.
“At all times, he said it was for his own use,” Sergeant Collins told the court.
Having heard evidence, Judge Cunningham said that while the value of drugs found was certainly significant there was no corroboration such as people coming or going from the house and nothing of evidential value was found on Walsh’s mobile phone.
“The Court accepts that it can rely on the amount,” but only if satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that it was for sale or supply,” Judge Cunningham said.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said the accused was “unwavering” in his insistence that the drugs were for his own personal use and dismissed a charge of possession for the purpose of sale or supply.
The court heard that Walsh has two previous convictions for possession of drugs, for which he was given the benefit of the Probation Act.
Mr Frank Dorrian, solicitor for Walsh, said his client has addressed the lifestyle he previously engaged in.
“He is receiving counselling and he tells me that he is no longer addicted,” Mr Dorrian said.
Mr Dorrian said Walsh is now pursuing “more healthy pursuits” and “with great enthusiasm”.
Judge Cunningham noted Walsh’s previous convictions and said she had to be cognisant in her judgement in relation to the amount that was detected.
Walsh was convicted and fined €750 and given five months to pay.
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