Man handed bag of cannabis to gardaí at door, Cork court told 

A Waterford man handed over a bag of cannabis to gardaí when they knocked on his front door, the district court has heard.

Sergeant Majella O’Sullivan told Youghal District Court that a search warrant was obtained to search the home of 29-year-old David Burke at Chapel Lane, Clashmore, Dungarvan, Co Waterford.

The court heard that when gardaí knocked on the door on March 25, 2024, Burke opened it and immediately handed them a bag of cannabis.

Burke, who was described as “trembling and nervous” at the time, allowed them in and a further search recovered five other small amounts of cannabis in the property.

The total value of the cannabis recovered was estimated at €480, and €1,675 in cash was also seized during the search, as well as a digital scales. The court was told that Burke had no previous convictions.

Apology

A letter of apology from Burke was handed into the court and his defence solicitor said “the guards had done him a favour” by carrying out the search.

The court was told that Burke had fallen in with a “poor peer group” at the time but had moved on and had not come to any garda attention since.

The court was told that Burke was involved in vocational training and would soon begin a culinary course.

Judge Miriam Walsh said Burke seemed to have encountered a “bump along the road” but was now making an effort to get on with his life and put the matter behind him.

She noted he had no previous convictions and asked Burke to make donation of €200 to Saint Vincent de Paul.

The three charges – possession, possession for sale or supply and money laundering – were struck out. The €1,675 in cash that was seized was forfeited to the State.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.