A Westmeath man has been given an 11 month sentence and fined €1,000 for possession of drugs with the intention to sell or supply them.
Shane Farrell of Togher, Castletown, Finea has had the sentence adjourned in that case and he also pleaded guilty to simple possession of drugs.
Garda Adrian Regan gave details of the offence which occurred when Mr Farrell was stopped driving a car on August 11.
His behaviour was suspicious and following a search of the vehicle under the Misuse of Drugs Act, a quantity of heroin valued at €1,400 was found concealed in the engine of the car.
On his way into Mullingar Garda Station, he handed gardaí one small deal of heroin which he had on his person.
He made a full admission to Gardaí.
He also pleaded guilty to possession of heroin on Oliver Plunkett St at 12.05am on August 26 last when gardaí stopped his car and a search revealed two small bags of heroin for his own use worth €50.
There is also a third conviction for the same offence on October 27 which has an eleven month consecutive sentence in place.
Ms Patricia Cronin said her client is waiting for a bed at Cuan Mhuire and medical reports show that he is attending for care.
She said that recently he had shown “a certain amount” of motivation.
The 22 month sentence is in place to be used “as a vehicle to monitor” Mr Farrell’s progress.
The sentence was adjourned to December 12 for a community service report, with a warning that if the Probation Service is not satisfied that Mr Farrell is addressing his addiction, is failing to keep appointments or gives positive urines, the cases can be re-entered.
Mr Farrell was also disqualified from driving for five years.
