Cork man put on probation for having €5 of cannabis

A Cork man who admitted the possession of cannabis valued at €5 has been placed on a probation bond for 12 months.

Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told Clonakilty District Court that a warrant was obtained to search the residence of 50-year-old John Kelly at Tawnies Crescent, Clonakilty, on February 3, 2025.

The search was carried out at 3.45pm and in the front bedroom of the house a small amount of cannabis was recovered.

Kelly admitted the cannabis was his and it was valued at approximately €5.

Defence solicitor Conrad Murphy said that Kelly lived with his parents, who were in their 80s, and was the father of three grown-up children.

The court heard that Kelly was in receipt of disability allowance and was currently not working.

The court was told that Kelly had 11 previous convictions, including one for possession of drugs, and that he had also been given the benefit of the probation act for possession on two occasions.

Mr Murphy said that Kelly claimed that he was not an addict and though he had issues with alcohol in the past, that was no longer the case.

Judge Joanne Carroll placed Kelly on a probation bond for 12 months, on condition he engage in training or employment, attend all appointments, engage with counselling, and cooperate with the probation service.

The judge said: “You need to get off cannabis, but that’s a matter for yourself.”

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.