Laois man fined €1,000 for possession of cannabis
Portlaoise District Court
ONE of a group of young men who were out in Portlaoise about to celebrate New Year’s Eve was found in possession of cannabis.
That’s what Portlaoise District Court was told last week when Samuel Madu from 14 The Crescent, Kilminchy, Portlaoise came before it and pleaded guilty to possessing the drug.
Judge Catherine Ryan was told while gardaí were patrolling around the Kilminchy housing estate they came across a group of men in the car park. They stopped the 22-year-old defendant, searched him and found €40 worth of cannabis in his possession.
The court heard that the defendant had two previous convictions.
Solicitor Philip Meagher said that Mr Madu was with a group of others hanging around the car park intending to celebrate New Years Eve.
He said his client no longer uses drugs and at the time wasn’t even a semi-user of drugs.
Judge Ryan convicted Mr Madu of the offence and fined him €1,000 and ordered it to be paid within six months.
She also granted free legal aid and fixed recognisance in the event the defendant wanted to appeal her decision.
