A 28-year-old man charged with possession of cannabis resin valued at more than €300 with intent to sell or supply received an eight month suspended sentence at Galway District Court yesterday.
Daniel Keniston with an address at 16 Fuschia Drive, Renmore, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis, and possession with intent to sell or supply to others, at Merchants Road, on October 13, 2010.
Inspector Brendan Carroll told the court that at 1pm the defendant was stopped on Merchant’s Road and searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act. As a result of the search 56 grams of cannabis resin, valued approximately at €342, as well as cash, was found to be on his person. The inspector added that Keniston has 13 previous convictions which include a number of public order offences as well as an eight month sentence imposed in March 2004 for assault and production of an article. The court further heard that Keniston has one previous conviction for a drugs related offence.
Defence solicitor Olivia Traynor said that her client had left school before the Junior Cert but had trained as a chef, and had started taking drugs at a very young age. She added that Keniston has been attending sessions with a substance abuse councillor and that there has been a marked improvement in his appearance and his mental attitude.
“He co-operated fully with gardai and gave them the key to his house to search the premises... He is trying to make every effort,” said Ms Traynor.
Judge Aeneas McCarthy convicted Keniston imposing an eight month sentence suspended for a period of two years on condition that he be of good behaviour.
