A former convict caught with €1,700 worth of drugs avoided a jail sentence this week (March 4 ) when, to much amusement in court, he told the judge he was now studying criminal justice at university.
Dereck McLoughlin (30 ), now living in north Wales but originally from Athlone was in a car stopped by gardai last July 28 on the Athlone Road, Moate.
After a search, they found €630 worth of cannabis, €1,050 of cocaine and €20 worth of heroin in his rucksack.
Because of his guilty plea, Judge Eamon O’Brien wanted to know about his previous convictions.
“He has no previous for drugs but has for other serious matters,” said Superintendent Aidan Glacken.
He told the court that McLoughlin was jailed at Mullingar Circuit Court for seven years in 1999 for car theft and two counts of robbery.
McLoughlin took the stand in his own defence and told the court how he had a history of difficulty with drugs.
“I was a heroin and cocaine addict after being released from prison, although I haven’t taken any since this arrest,” he said.
McLoughlin had been released, with remission, in 2003 when he went to Wales with his girlfriend.
The court heard how they have been together since then and have three children.
He explained how he enrolled in a degree course in University of Bangor in north Wales in 2006 and was now in his final year.
When the judge asked him what he was studying, he said: “Modern criminal justice”.
“I hope this isn’t part of your practicals?” asked his solicitor, Mr Paul Connellan, with a very specifically placed tongue.
On a more serious note, Mr Connellan told the court how his client’s system was now clear of all traces of narcotic except cannabis and handed in to the court the urine analysis reports to prove this.
“His doctor expects the cannabis tests to be clear within four weeks,” said Mr Connellan.
He told the court how his client had pleaded guilty at the first possible opportunity and had attended every hearing from Wales.
“He has spent one week in custody and he doesn’t fancy it again,” said Mr Connellan.
Judge O’Brien accepted this and sentenced McLoughlin to nine months but suspended this for 12 months.
He also fined him €100 on each of the five charges to which McLoughlin pleaded guilty.
