Laois truck driver has drug charge struck out
Portlaoise Courthouse
A TRUCK driver caught in possession of cocaine was given the benefit of the Probation Act when he appeared before Portlaoise District Court last week.
Liam Ryan (32), Morette, Emo pleaded guilty to possessing €50 worth of cocaine for his own use following a garda stop and search on Stradbally Road, Portlaoise on August 9.
The court heard that gardaí stopped the defendant. During a search, they discovered a small quantity of cocaine with an estimated value of €50 in his possession.
Garda Sgt Kirby said that Mr Ryan has 20 previous convictions.
Solicitor for the defendant Brian Duffy said his client was employed as a truck driver and had no previous convictions for drug offences.
The court was told that the defendant had co-operated fully with gardaí and had entered an early guilty plea.
Mr Duffy said that his client “is not a habitual drug user.” Having considered the circumstances of the case, Judge Andrew Gubbins instructed Mr Ryan to donate €200 to the Merchant Quay Project and applied section 1(1) of the Probation Act, meaning no conviction was recorded against the defendant, and struck out the charge.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.
