Gardaí ‘didn't even leave a note'

A 37-YEAR-old man has declined community service and opted for prison instead.

When Sam Bateman of Coomkeen, Durrus, pleaded guilty at Bantry District Court to cultivating cannabis at his home on September 13th 2015, Judge James McNulty indicated that he was considering ordering the accused to do community service.

But the accused, who confirmed that he is on prescription medication for hyper-mania, was having none of it. 

He pointed out that he had previously been convicted and fined €500 for cultivating cannabis on July 22nd  last.

He said he paid that fine, but had only found out about the detection when he was summonsed to attend court.

He told the court that when he came home after the garda raid on July 22nd, he could tell that the cannabis plants had been removed but he thought they’d been stolen.

He said if he had known that the gardaí had been around, there was no way he would have attempted to cultivate more cannabis plants. 

He said the gardaí didn’t even leave a note.

Having taken his medicine once, so to speak, the accused declined to do community service in respect of the second offence, saying he’d prefer time in jail.

He told the court: ‘I don’t mind going in …  I’d prefer prison to slave labour. I am objecting to any punishment you give me. I want a caution this time.’

Judge James McNulty marked the September 13th offence ‘proved but taken into consideration.’