A final year student was warned when he appeared before Galway District Court that defendants get only one chance when they appear on a minor drug charge.
Judge Liz Healy told the 21-year old that if he made a charitable donation of €400 to Galway Mountain Rescue she would give him the benefit of the Probation Act and leave him with a clean record so he could get on with his life.
The court was told that Gardaí searched the home of the student last May and found cannabis to the value of €190 there.
Michael Cunningham solicitor (defending ) said his client had no substance abuse issues. He had been fully co-operative with Gardaí and was holding his hand up to the charge.
He added that his client was 21 and would like to avoid a drug conviction on his record if at all possible.
Judge Healy asked prosecuting Garda Sgt Damien Prendergast if the student had come to Garda attention in the year since his arrest and was told that he had not.
Judge Healy said on that basis she would not impose a conviction but warned if he came before the court again he would receive no leniency. On condition that he made the €400 donation to Galway Mountain Rescue she struck out the charge.
