Driver caught with cannabis at Garda checkpoint in Cork ordered to do community service

A MOTORIST caught with cannabis at a checkpoint obstructed a search by throwing a piece of cannabis across the road and now he has been ordered to do community service to avoid a jail sentence.

36-year-old Ahmed Adam who lives at an apartment at Charlemont Terrace, Wellington Road, Cork, pleaded guilty to obstructing the search at Sourth Terrace, Cork, possessing cannabis for his own use and driving without insurance.

For those three charges, respectively, Judge Olann Kelleher imposed 150 hours of community service instead of four months in prison, a €300 fine and an €850 fine.

Sergeant John Kelleher said that after 11 p.m. on September 22 2018 gardaí were operating a checkpoint when the defendant drove up in a car from which there was a strong smell of cannabis.

When searched a small ziplock bag containing cannabis was found in the defendant’s wallet and another small quantity of cannabis was found in a gear bag in the car.

Garda Michael Costello placed one of their items on the bonnet of the patrol car parked at the checkpoint.

“The defendant picked it up and threw it across the road. He subsequently admitted it was his,” Sgt. Kelleher said.

The sergeant said the accused man had six previous convictions for having drugs for his own use.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said, “His obstruction was rather obvious.” Mr Buttimer said the defendant left his home in Sudan because of very difficult circumstances and came to Ireland 11 years ago and got refugee status.