Man arrested in Longford fined €400 for cannabis possession

A defendant who pleaded guilty to possessing €50 worth of cannabis was fined €400 at Longford District Court.
Wayne Halford (30) of 31 Wolf Tone Street, Cavan Town was charged with possession of cannabis at Longford Garda station.
Outlining details of the offence Sergeant Mark Mahon said the defendant came to Garda attention on September 10, 2024 at 10pm. Mr Halford was stopped by officers and searched on Bridge Street, Longford town.

The Gardaí found the defendant in possession of €50 of cannabis, which he admitted was for his own use.
The court heard Mr Halford had 24 previous convictions, three of which were for the misuse of drugs.
Addressing the judge on behalf of her client solicitor Brid Mimnagh explained that Mr Halford was currently serving a 12 months custodial sentence: “Wayne has just turned 30 years, he is from a very good family, he just got a little lost.”
Ms Mimnagh said the defendant got involved with drugs and this had a negative impact on his life: “With the support of his family he has tried to get help. He has been in contact with The Peter McVerry Trust.”

The solicitor said her client has stopped his drug use in custody: “He's happy to be where he is. He is now off drugs while in prison. He wants to apologise to the court.”
Taking the facts of the case into consideration Judge Owens registered a conviction and imposed a fine of €400, with five days in custody in default of payment.

Read next: https://www.longfordleader.ie/news/local-news/1747061/longford-defendant-receives-500-fine-after-he-overreacted-to-a-situation.html