A Judge has warned a “small-time drug dealer” from Glenties of the dangers of being in a system that also supports “evil and dangerous criminals”.
Judge Paul Kelly told 37-year-old Ryan Kellie of Mullantiboyle that it was “small-time dealers” like him who were part of a structure that supported “bigger ones”.
He said the defendant was down the chain from “evil and dangerous criminals” who use small-time dealers like him to get their product on the streets.
The defendant pleaded guilty to having cannabis for sale or supply at Gortnamucklagh, Glenties on April 18 last year.
A charge of possession of the drugs was struck out.
The court was told the defendant took evasive action at a garda station before he was stopped.
Gardai found three bags of cannabis in a lunch box.
In a further search of his vehicle, gardai found deal bags, two grinders and a small weighing scales.
The defendant’s mobile phone was switched off, but when turned on there were a number of messages asking to meet with him in Glenties “for the stuff”.
A sum of €271.20 in cash was also found in his car and the defendant made an early admission.
Inspector Denis Joyce said the defendant, who had no previous convictions, had turned his life around and was “going the right way.”
Defence solicitor Rory O’Brien asked the court to note the early plea.
He said his client had a drug addiction from his mid-teens until recently.
He had gone to White Oaks and has committed to getting all the necessary help there.
The defendant was off drugs for the past 16 months and the offence was at the lower end of the scale.
The defendant was a father-of-two and had fully co-operate with the gardai.
The solicitor asked the court if it would be possible to avoid a conviction.
After warning the defendant, the judge said he was adjourning the case until November for the preparation of Probation and Community Service reports.