Accused caught with cannabis worth €3,500
A MAN who had drugs for sale or supply and was caught with a large amount of cannabis just days after appearing in court on a similar charge has been given community service instead of 12 months in jail.
Alan Hartigan (33), with an address at 5 Ashford Crescent, Tom Bellew Avenue, was originally before the court charged with having drugs for sale or supply at his address on February 26th 2010. The case was before Dundalk District Court on in September last year and Gardai said that Hartigan was caught with almost €3,500 worth of cannabis, resin and amphetamine at an address at Claddagh Park, on September 21st 2011, days after he appeared in court on the 2010 charge.
The case had been adjourned to last week for an updated probation report after Judge Flann Brennan said he was concerned about Hartigan and had warned him he would go to jail if touched drugs in the meantime.
Last week, solicitor Conor Macguill said his client hadn't been on trouble with Gardai since the case was last before the court and he had signed up for FAS courses with a view to getting employment. The probation report said he was suitable for community service. The solicitor said Hartigan appreciated that Judge Brennan ' has a certain view of matters' but his client was 'following through on what he said he would do and most importantly not coming to the attention of the Gardai'.
Judge Brennan said he would impose a community service order, 240 hours instead of 12 months, and told Hartigan he had to comply with it and turn up on time. He also placed him under the supervision of the probation service for a year, in his own bond of €300.
