Man caught in possession of cannabis in Longford hit with €300 fine

A defendant found in possession of €200 worth of cannabis was fined €300 at Longford District Court.

Aloyzas Bukantus (43) of 56B Church St Edgeworthstown, faces a charge that on January 17, 2024 at Church St, Edgeworthstown, he was in possession of cannabis.

The defendant, who appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens by videolink, was assisted by a Romanian interpreter.

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Counsel for the defendant, Patrick O'Sullivan BL, said his client was entering a plea of guilty to the charge before the court.

Sergeant Enda Daly gave details of the incident that brought the defendant to the attention of Gardaí.

Garda Jamie Rosney was undertaking a search of the defendant premises when he found a quantity of cannabis valued at €200.

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Mr Bukantus admitted ownership and signed the officers notebook accepting the drugs were his.

Addressing the court Mr O'Sullivan said his client, a Latvian national, had no previous convictions. Counsel told the judge Mr

Bukantus has lived in Ireland for a number of years and cooperated fully with the Gardaí.

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The barrister said the defendant had entered a guilty plea the first time the matter had come before the court. He said his client has been on remand in respect of another matter since last March.

Taking the facts of the case into consideration Judge Owens recorded a conviction and imposed a fine of €300 to be paid forthwith, with four days in custody in default.