A 31-year-old Ballina man was detected growing cannabis plants at his home when gardaí searched the house on foot of confidential information received from a member of the public.
The search on July 3, 2013, found David Ryan, 3B Plunkett Road, Ballina, to be growing 21 cannabis plants.
Superintendent Gerry Donnelly told Ballina District Court the plants were at an early stage of growth and were just two to three inches in height. They were worth an estimated €50 each, or €1,050 altogether.
Solicitor for Ryan, Mr Peter Loftus, said his client, who is unemployed, bought the seeds and the equipment for growing the plants over the internet, for his own use only.
He fully accepted he was in the wrong and pleaded guilty to the charge.
Judge Mary Devins fined Ryan €250.
