A chef was fined €600 at Castlebar District Court this week for growing six large cannabis plants. Michael Lanigan, 56 Lakeview, Castlebar, Co Mayo pleaded guilty to the charges in court. In evidence the court heard that Garda Michelle Sweeney went to Lanigan’s home on foot of a warrant at 4pm on June 27 2008 where Lanigan’s partner let the garda into the house. After searching the property Garda Sweeney found six large cannabis plants growing in the attic of the house.
Contact was made with Lanigan by telephone and he called into Castlebar Garda Station 90 minutes later where he made a full statement to gardai and admitted to the plants being his. Lanigan, 29 and chef by trade told the gardai that the plants were for his own personal use and he had bought the seeds in Galway and grew the plants for his own use. Solicitor for Lanigan Aidan Crowley told the court that Lanigan was very embarrassed by the situation and wants to get on with his life. Judge Mary Devins convicted and fined Lanigan €600 which she directed to be paid to the Castlebar No Name Club.
