A young farmer who was caught with cocaine has pleaded with a Judge not to give him a criminal conviction as he wanted to go to Australia to work as a sheep farmer.
Jason Donohue appeared at Letterkenny District Court charged with possession of €40 worth of cocaine.
The 21-year-old from Longford was caught by Gardai with the drugs when he attended the Donegal International motor rally on June 17th last year.
Gardai on patrol noticed Donohue and another man acting suspiciously at Fortwell off Letterkenny’s Main Street and when he was searched was found in possession of a quantity of cocaine.
Solicitor for the accused, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said his client had plans to go sheep farming in the next couple of years.
He said any criminal conviction for a drugs offence may stop him travelling.
“He is from a farming background and he does plan to go to Australia in the coming years to go sheep farming.
“He is very worried that if he convicted then he will be prevented from travelling abroad,” said the solicitor.
Judge Paul Kelly asked the accused if he planned to come to Donegal for the motor rally this year but Donohue said he had no plans.
“If you are coming up then make sure you come up empty-handed. This is your one and only chance,” said Judge Kelly.
He struck out the charge if Donohue made a donation of €150 to a local charity.