Laois man ‘threw drugs down toilet’ in a panic
Portlaoise Courthouse
A MAN who told Portlaoise District Court that he does not take drugs or alcohol was nevertheless ordered to attend substance abuse support services. The order was made by Judge Susan Fay when James McInerney (43), Lake Drive, Kilminchy, Portlaoise was back before her after he had previously pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis for his own use and to possessing it for sale or supply from his address at the time.
His case had been adjourned to allow him to undergo a probation service assessment and to finalise the case.
Judge Fay informed Mr McInerney that his solicitor was not present to represent him as he had withdrawn his services due to solicitors’ ongoing dispute with the Department of Justice.
She said she would adjourn the case in the hope the solicitors’ campaign would be resolved or, if he preferred, she could deal with the case if he so wished.
“I’d like it to be finished today,” replied Mr McInerney.
At the previous sitting, Garda Sght Kirby said that on foot of a search warrant, gardaí searched Mr McInerney’s house on 10 December last year. During the search, they found cannabis in a plastic bag down a toilet bowl.
Mr McInerney pleaded guilty to possessing the drug for his own use and to possessing it for sale or supply from his address at the time.
Sgt Kirby said the defendant has 42 previous convictions.
That sitting was told that Mr McInerney wasn’t in the house when gardaí began their search but returned and “in a panic threw the drugs down the toilet.” It also heard that Mr McInerney had started using cannabis as relief for a back injury “which snowballed and he built up a debt from those he was buying it from. In turn, he sold it on to a small group.” That court was told that Mr McInerney no longer takes drugs.
With the consent of the defendant, Judge Fay proceeded to finalise the case.
For possessing drugs for sale or for supply, she imposed a seven-month sentence suspended for two years on condition that Mr McInerney attends services for substance abuse issues “as directed by the probation service.” “I don’t take drugs or drink, your honour,” replied Mr McInerney.
Judge Fay continued by imposing a 12-month probation supervision order for possessing drugs for his own use and instructed that he attends all services that he is instructed to take part in by the probation services.
