A MAN found in possession of €50 worth of cannabis was given the benefit of the Probation Act by Judge Joanne Carroll.

Margaret Collins, solicitor, appeared at Bantry District Court in defence of Ryan Murphy (30) of Derryminhan West, Castletownbere, who was found to be in possession of the drug at Derryminhan on May 29th last.

The accused, who has no previous convictions, was also stopped at a 9am checkpoint at Drumlave, Adrigole, earlier that month on May 11th.

Court presenter, Sgt Tom Mulcahy, said the officer in charge, Gda Daniel Murray, observed that the accused was the sole occupant and none of the vehicle's discs were in order. 

The accused co-operated with the garda and told him the tax was out, and that he was not insured to drive the vehicle.

In his defence, Margaret Collins said her client was, at that time, going through a difficult period in his life. 

'He was mis-using drugs. He was trying to meet drug debts and had no money to pay the tax or insurance on his vehicle,' she said.

'But now he is completely drug free and is working as a supervisor in his job.'

Judge Joanne Carroll applied the Probation Act in relation to the charge of cannabis possession, which does not carry a conviction; and she imposed a €200 fine on the accused for driving without insurance.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.