'He just loves fivers and tenners' Longford man avoids conviction after drug possession charge

A 19-year-old Longford man has been given the opportunity to avoid a criminal conviction after appearing before Carrick-on-Shannon District Court on a drugs charge.

At Carrick-on-Shannon District Court, Quintin Mears, of Ferefad, Ardagh Road, Longford, appeared before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham for sentencing after the court had previously found the facts of the case proven.

Defence solicitor Ciarán White told the court his client had no previous convictions and that his intellectual learning disability had contributed to confusion surrounding his earlier court appearances.

Judge Cunningham said that, in the ordinary course of events, a first-time offender appearing before the court for a Section 3 drugs offence would generally be afforded an opportunity to make a charitable contribution in lieu of receiving a conviction.

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However, the judge said she had concerns about the circumstances of the case.

The court heard the drugs seized had an estimated value of €140. Gardaí also recovered €615 in cash, consisting of a mixture of €50, €10 and €5 notes, along with other items of paraphernalia.

Addressing the court, Mears' uncle and guardian said: "He's a good lad. His dad died recently, your honour. He just loves fivers and tenners."

The cash had been retained by Gardaí pending proof of its source.

Judge Cunningham said the unexplained money was an aggravating factor and initially stood the matter down to allow Mr White to take further instructions from his client regarding the source of the cash.

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When the case resumed, the judge indicated she would dispose of the matter if Mears made a €250 donation to the Irish Cancer Society in lieu of a conviction.

"You have one opportunity that it will never happen again," Judge Cunningham warned.