Cork man avoids jail for cannabis possession

Gardaí in Gurranabraher seized two kilos of cannabis at 52 Steps in Fairhill, and now one of the men involved with these drugs more than two years ago has been given a two-year suspended sentence.

Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed that sentence at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Garda Peter Kelleher arrested 21-year-old Alan Quilligan of Beechtree Avenue, Ard Sionnach, Shanakiel, Cork, and charged him with possession of cannabis and having it for sale or supply at 52 Steps, Innishannon Road, Fairhill, Cork, back on January 4, 2023.

Now at the circuit court, Alan Quilligan has pleaded guilty to the drugs offences.

Judge Sheehan was told that the accused had not come to the adverse notice of An Garda Síochána in the meantime.

The judge said during sentencing: “He appears to have settled down. The probation report puts him at a low risk of reoffending.

“He has shown remorse and he is no longer associating with anti-social peers. And he wishes to proceed as a law-abiding citizen.”

Judge Sheehan said that in all the circumstances, taking into consideration the defendant’s lack of previous convictions, his relative youth and other facts, that a fully suspended sentence was appropriate.