You're now on the radar so be very careful, a Judge warned a young man to whom he gave the benefit of the Probation Act following his admission of guilt on a coke possession charge.
Judge John King told him when he appeared before Galway District Court that he had to be careful because even though he was avoiding a criminal conviction the application of the Probation Act meant he was on the record and if he reoffended this would show up.
Judge King was told the 22-year-old apprentice carpenter had no previous convictions and pleaded guilty to the offence of possessing cocaine.
The Court heard he was stopped at 1am on March 23 last at Market Street, Galway and searched by Gardaí. They found cocaine to the value of €80 on him.
John Martin solr (defending ) pleaded that his client was on a night out and admitted having the drug, but he was not a regular user. He was doing the Prime for Life drug and alcohol prevention programme and had letters of reference from two employers. He appealed to the Judge not to leave his client with a criminal conviction.
Judge King noted the defence stated that the defendant was not a regular user, but he wanted to hear that he had stopped using.
He asked if a night out in Galway now involved cocaine and warned the defendant that in future he should confine himself to legal substances when on a night out in the city.
Agreeing to give him a chance, provided he make a €500 donation to the Court Poor Box, he would apply the Probation Act. However, the Judge warned him that this meant that the fact he’s got this chance was now on record. This is your last chance, he said, adding “You’re now on the radar so be very careful,” Judge King concluded.
