A 28 year old Letterkenny man caught with €1,600 of cocaine when Gardai raided his father’s home has escaped a jail sentence.
Ronan McBride appeared at Letterkenny District Court this morning having pleaded guilty to the possession of the drugs.
The court was told that officers from the Garda Drugs Squad called to the address at 10 Kilbracken, Gortlee but there was nobody there.
They entered the premises and while searching it, McBride returned.
As the searched progressed they uncovered two mobile phones and also a quantity of cocaine in various bags in McBride’s jacket which was hanging on the bannisters of the stairs.
Solicitor Frank Dorrian said the man’s father was well-known and respected in the community and did not know of his son’s use of drugs.
The court was told McBride had an Honours Degree in Journalism and now had a four year old child.
He said his client had no intention of selling the cocaine but had planned to give it to his friends.
He had bought such a large quantity of the drug because he felt it was more dangerous to but it in smaller amounts.
The court was told his actions had been most unhelpful to his family’s reputation.
McBride had attended Whiteoaks Treatment Centre for an addiction to alcohol and was now attending Northlands in Derry.
Solicitor Frank Dorrian said McBride’s mother and father were horrified after discovering what their son was at.
Judge Paul Kelly was told that a test taken by McBride on March 14th last proved clear.
Judge Kelly sentenced McBride to 180 hours community service for on a charge of Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act and fined him €250 for Section 3 of the same act.
However Judge Kelly warned McBride that he would go straight to jail if he came before him again on drugs charges.
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