A Donegal teenager who was caught in possession of over €1,600 worth of drugs has been ordered to do community service.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age, appeared before Judge Emile Daly at Letterkenny District Court.
He was charged with having €1,652 of cannabis for sale or supply and was sentenced to 120 hours of community service in lieu of two months in detention.
Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that on a date in June, 2024, Gardai, armed with a search warrant, searched a premises under the Misuse of Drugs Act. The address raised was not the boy’s own address, but he made admissions that the drugs were his.
A total of 82.6 grams of cannabis, with an estimated value of €1,652, was located in the premises.
Gardai seized the drugs as well as weighing scales, bagging and other drug-related paraphernalia.
The boy made a caution memo interview to Gardai, in the company of his parents, and was described by Sergeant Collins as “fully compliant”.
The accused has one previous conviction, for assault causing harm, from last year.
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The defendant was represented by solicitor Mr Rory O’Brien, who said the boy showed “immediate acceptance and acknowledgement”.
He said the boy “didn’t think about the consequences of his actions” and told Judge Daly that he made “wholesome and forthright admissions” after being detained by Gardai.
Mr O’Brien asked the court to consider a period of supervision by the Probation Services, adding that the boy was “fully cooperative on all aspects and he pleaded guilty at the earliest occasion”.
Judge Daly said the quantity of drugs found was a “substantial amount”.
She said his engagement with the Probation Service has been “sporadic”, but the court was informed of a tragic incident in his life. The court heard that the Probation Service has deemed him a high risk of reoffending.
“He will be an adult soon and he needs to realise that this was an opportunity for him to engage with a light hand,” Judge Daly said. “When he turns 18, it will be a pivot point. It is a pity that he didn’t engage with the Probation Service as that would have demonstrated that he has a desire to turn away from these matters that impede him from living a good life.”
Judge Daly said that a Probation bond or detention were not preferable options for the court. She ordered the teenager to do 120 hours of community service in lieu of two months in detention.
She said: “It is a serious offence and the young person has to realise the damage that flows from his behaviour and what he was making his money out of. He has to take responsibility for that.”
Judge Daly told the teen: “What you need is a ladder to get you out of where you are . . . You need structure. You need to acquire some skills. You are a young person and you need a future to look forward to.”