A 33-year-old man who sold drugs to pay for his chronic alcoholic problems received a six months suspended sentence and warned to seek help for his difficulties.
Tony Sheridan (33 ) with a rental address at 14 O’Donoghue Terrace, Woodquay, appeared at Galway District Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of cannibas resin and and two counts possession of the drug with intent to sell or supply at Prospect Hill and at the defendant’s residence on October 15, 2011.
Inspector Mick Coppinger told the court that members of the drugs unit obtained a search warrent for the defendant’s residence. On route they observed Sheridan at Prospect Hill and when searched he was found to be in possession of nine deals of cannabis resin and during a search of his house 16 deals were found along with weighing scales, a cutting knife, and €2,200 in cash. When questioned Sheridan had told gardai that he had a chronic drink problem, that he was selling drugs to support his drinking habit, and he was spending €300 per week on drink. The court then heard that Sheridan was very co-operative with gardai and that €500 of the money found was his own savings while the remainder, €1,700 was from the selling of drugs. It was also noted that Sheridan did owe money to others for what he purchased.
Defence solicitor Adrian MacLynn said that his client has had a lot of difficulties from an early stage including alcoholism in the family and his own low self-esteem. Mr MacLynn said that Sheridan describes himself as an alcoholic and that he needs serious treatment without delay before he slips even further. Noting that Sheridan completed an art and design degree at GMIT, Mr MacLynn said that his client has “great potential but he has to overcome his personal difficulties”.
Inspector Coppinger then told Judge Fahy that it was a “very strange” case in that Sheridan doesn’t take any drugs himself. He added that since the incident there was no evidence to suggest that the defendant has continued to be involved in this scene.
After consideration Judge Fahy said that she will impose a suspended sentence on condition that Sheridan co-operates and liaises with the probation services. Sheridan was then convicted and sentenced to six months which was then suspended for two years on condition that he enter into a bond of €500 to be of good behaviour, co-operate with all probation service requirements including any treatment programme identified for alcohol addiction. “I can only give somebody one chance,” warned Judge Fahy who also confirmed an order for the forfeiture of €1,700 to the State and the return of €500 to Sheridan and also the destruction of the drugs and paraphenalia.
