Man used cannabis to treat pain following back injury, Cork court told

A back injury prompted a 39-year-old man to self-medicate on cannabis and to start growing the plants at his home in Cork — until he was caught when gardaí visited with a search warrant.

The eight cannabis plants found growing at the home of Zeliko Prstec at Greenhills Court on South Douglas Rd had an anticipated street value of €6,400, said Garda Laura O’Connor at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

However, it was accepted by the prosecution that the accused was not involved in dealing the drug and that he was cultivating it for his own use. He also had small amounts of other drugs, including LSD.

The accused made full admissions to growing the cannabis at his home.

Defence barrister Elaine Audley said the defendant had written a letter of apology to the judge.

“He grew up in Croatia,” said Ms Audley. 

“He had a particularly traumatic background. He had difficulties with cannabis in his teenage years. He was free of drugs for many years. But he suffered an injury to his back, knee, and shoulder.

“He attended his doctor as he should have done. Then, quite wrongly, he decided to self-medicate and began using cannabis for pain.

“He fell in with a crowd also using cannabis. He began growing it as well as using it. This experience has been a wake-up call for him.”

Letters

Judge Helen Boyle, as she imposed sentence, said: “I have a number of letters from your neighbours speaking highly of you. Gardaí arrived for a different reason.

“There were four mature plants with lights and four small plants in the back. Smaller amounts of different drugs were also found, including LSD, resin, all for personal use.

“You have no previous convictions. Cannabis is a dangerous drug and it can induce psychosis in a young person using it.

“There is a probation report. You were fully co-operative.

“Instead of using painkillers, you became involved with cannabis and you become involved with people dealing drugs. You are now drug-free, you are working and capable of being a productive member of society.

“You have a motivation to remain substance-free. You have fully dealt with and co-operated with the probation service. You are of assistance to your neighbours.”

In all the circumstances, the judge imposed an 18-month suspended sentence.