A man was given a prison sentence for a “serious” drug charge at a recent sitting of Waterford District Court.
Michael Quinn (29) of Georgestown, Kill, Waterford, appeared before Judge John Cheatle in court in December for charges including sale and supply of drugs, contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. This related to an incident where Gardaí searched his house on 20 October, 2024.
The court heard that on the day in question, Gardaí executed a search warrant on the accused’s house and discovered €1000 worth of cocaine and €745 in cash.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Ken Cunningham highlighted to the court that his client has come to no further Garda attention in the 14 months since the incident. He said that the accused has struggled with a deterioration in his mental health as well as drug addiction, which he accepts has caused him “nothing but trouble.”
Mr Cunningham said that “against all odds”, his client has turned things around “left this life of chaos behind him” and is currently competing in weightlifting competitions. He added that there was “little point” in protesting the charges, but highlighted to the Judge that they are at the “lower end of the scale.”
It was noted in court that the accused has previous convictions, including an unrelated matter for which he was handed a three month sentence suspended for 12 months in September 2024.
Judge Cheatle said: “I’m not sure €1000 is at the lower end of the scale, and they [Gardaí] don’t look for search warrants for no reason.” He then commented that it’s “too serious”.
Judge Cheatle handed the accused six months imprisonment for the Section 15 charge after saying that he had “no option because of the seriousness” of it. Other charges were taken into consideration alongside this. Judge Cheatle then made an order for the drugs to be destroyed and for the cash to be forfeited to the state. Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.
Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Robyn Power
