A DONEGAL man who appeared in court on drugs charges has avoided a conviction.
Odhrán Crossan (20) of Firmount, Milford, was before Letterkenny District Court charged with possession of MDMA and also with possession of the drug for the purpose of sale or supply.
At 1.45am on May 26, 2018, Gardaí were notified by security staff at the Pulse nightclub that they had observed a male allegedly dealing drugs.
Crossan became nervous and elusive when approached by Gardaí, Sergeant Jim Collins said.
Crossan was arrested under the Misuse of Drugs Act and five deal bags of MDMA, worth a combined €312, were found in his jacket pocket.
The Court heard that Crossan has no previous convictions and was fully co-operative when interviewed.
“He has been drug free since,” Mr O’Brien said.
“He admitted that he gave it to friends and this was mainly for his own benefit in that he gave some away to get a cheaper deal.
“He has been in no other trouble.”
References on behalf of the accused were handed into the Court.
Judge Alan Mitchell said that a section 15 charge, possession for the purpose of sale of supply, merited a conviction.
“I have to send out a strong message,” he said. “Drugs is a serious offence.”
Mr O’Brien said his client would never be before the court again said the recently-departed Judge Kelly’s pattern in such offences was to apply the Probation Act.
Judge Mitchell said if Crossan paid €300 to Letterkenny Youth and Community Club by June 21 he would not impose a conviction.
Judge Mitchell said: “This is quite the exception for me on a section 15 charge.”