'Vulnerable' Cork man who stored drugs in house given sentence suspended

Gardaí seized cannabis and cocaine with a combined value of over €20,000 at a house in Cork city but it emerged that the accused man was a vulnerable person preyed upon by others and that he has since managed to do much better in his life.

Judge Helen Boyle took this into consideration as she imposed a fully suspended three-year sentence on 26-year-old Patrick Daly of 173 Farranferris Avenue, Farranree, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Boyle said: “I have to consider the gravity of the offence. There were a number of illegal substances found in your house. You were storing them for a third party.

“You were addicted and able to get cannabis at a reduced price (by agreeing to store drugs).

“You have particular vulnerabilities which reduce your culpability. You have saved the state the time and expense of a trial by pleading guilty. You have no previous and have not come to garda attention since.

Reports

“Reports from your addiction counsellor and your GP show you are a young man who had particular difficulties with a mental health history. You have a history of engagement with mental health services.

“You were vulnerable, immature and somewhat easily led astray. You fell in with a crowd who were not good for you.

“You used cannabis to self-medicate. You stored drugs for unscrupulous people.

“You were getting cheaper cannabis, exacerbating your problems. You were a very isolated individual.

“But you have come a very long way with your addiction issues. All of the objective evidence, including urinalysis, is that you worked very hard to overcome a cannabis addiction that began at 14 in your effort to fit in with your peer group.

“You have made great strides. You made huge improvements in your lifestyle and wellbeing.”

In all the circumstances the judge said she would impose a fully suspended three-year sentence.

The drug seizure, that resulted in the charges including having cannabis for sale or supply, was made on January 17, 2023.