Portlaoise Court: Ketamine and cocaine found in house
Portlaoise Courthouse. File image
A TEENAGER who had a “serious” amount of cocaine and ketamine at a house in Portlaoise was given a suspended custodial sentence.
The youth was only 16 when he was caught with a large quantity of both drugs at a property in Clonroosk Abbey housing estate on 8 May 2023.
He was charged with possession of cocaine and ketamine, as well as possession of both drugs with intent to sell or supply, as a result of the seizure.
The amount involved was so large that he was also charged under Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act, which applies to quantities of drugs with a minimum value of €13,000 and can carry a minimum jail sentence of 10 years.
Now aged 18, the youth made another appearance at Portlaoise District Court in late July, following an adjournment for a probation officer’s report.
After noting the contents of the report, which was not read out in court, Judge Andrew Cody commented: “There was a serious amount of drugs here.”
Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick recalled that her client admitted his guilt and complied with a number of conditions, including the provision of drug-free urine samples.
Handing in supporting documents, Ms Fitzpatrick said the youth was training as a barber and actively seeking work, though without success so far. He was on work experience one day a week.
Sgt Jason Hughes confirmed that the defendant had not come to garda attention since the drugs raid.
Describing the amount of cocaine and ketamine involved as “very significant”, Judge Cody suspended two concurrent nine-month sentences for five years, in view of the positive report.
The judge said: “He is very lucky not to be serving these two sentences or more - a lot more.”
