Court hears Longford resident was caught with drugs valued at €1,000 and imitation gun

A Longford resident caught by Gardaí with drugs and an imitation firearm will be assessed by the probation services.

Mariusz Skalski (47) of An Cuasan, Lisbrack Rd pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to being in possession of cannabis valued at €1,000 and 'the possession, use, or carriage of firearms or ammunition without a valid firearm licence at An Cuasan on November 22, 2023.

The defendant had initially been charged with the more serious charge of possession of drugs for sale or supply, however, Sergeant Enda Daly, court presenter, confirmed the State were satisfied with the lower drugs charge before he outlined the facts.

He stated Gardaí executed a search warrant at An Cuasan, Lisbrack Road and at 1.45am a number of items were seized.

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"One of these items was an imitation firearm and after examination by ballistics it was found to exceed the one dual legal limit.

"Cannabis was also found on the property to the value of €1,000 and the defendant admitted that he owned the cannabis."

Sgt Daly said there were no previous convictions of note apart from a 'drug driving matter in 2024'.

Solicitor John Anderson, defending, said his instructions from his client were that the cannabis valued at €1,000 was for Mr Skalski's own personal use.

However, Judge Bernadette Owens seemed somewhat taken aback by that development and she replied "€1,000 worth of cannabis".

Mr Anderson said Garda Keith Maher was willing to accept the lower charge.

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Sgt Daly then interjected and said the State were satisfied with the drugs charge once Mr Skalski had pleaded guilty to the firearms offence.

"If it's a case that the investigating officer was satisfied with that then I have no difficulty with it."

Mr Anderson said his client is a father of two grown up children aged 17 and 22 and he is self-employed and he works part-time as a handyman.

"He admitted and cooperated with Garda Maher and there wasn't much difficulty, I would ask you to be as lenient as possible."

Judge Owens said the quantity of drugs involved she was going to direct that a probation report is completed on the defendant and she remanded him on continuing bail until June 2 for sentencing.