A 27-YEAR-OLD Oranmore man has spent more of his life taking drugs than he has lived without them, his defence solicitor told Galway District Court.
Olivia Traynor, solr, told Judge Adrian Harris that her client, Conor McDermot of 24, Killard, Oranmore, had begun abusing cannabis at the age of 13 and that the prosecution before the Court for possession of a large quantity of cannabis was “a wake-up call” for him.
The Judge heard that Gardaí stopped a car being driven by McDermot on October 12, 2024 and a search revealed cannabis to the value of €202. A subsequent search of his home revealed cannabis to the value of €920, digital weighing scales and €450 in cash.
On February 25, 2025 the defendant was stopped at Lisbaun and a follow-up search of his bedroom uncovered cannabis valued at €3,178, a digital weighing scales and €580 in cash.
The defendant denied he was selling drugs, insisting they were for his personal use. A charge of sale and supply was withdrawn by the prosecution.
His defence said her client’s mother and aunt were in Court and had only found out the extent of his involvement in recent weeks. She had put back the case until late in the sitting, so he could see the consequences drug convictions were having for others before the Court.
Her client had started smoking cannabis at 13 and this meant that, now at the age of 27, he was longer taking drugs than he was not. He had now come to the realisation that he needed to deal with his issues and was undergoing treatment, she said. She added that the case had been a wake-up call for all involved.
His family were disgusted by his behaviour but remained supportive of him. In his favour he has always been employed and had no previous convictions, Ms Traynor pleaded, and asked the Judge to recommend a Probation report before finalising the case.
Judge Harris agreed to this and adjourned sentencing until February 26 next. The Judge also ordered the destruction of the cannabis seized and the forfeiture of the cash to the State.
