A Carndonagh drug dealer has been spared prison after being caught in a sting operation by gardaí.
Aiden McLaughlin was handed an eight-month suspended sentence and ordered to complete 120 hours of community service.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham warned the 22-year-old, of Millbrae Meadows, Carndonagh, that he would have been going behind bars but for the fact that he appears to have turned his life around.
McLaughlin was before Buncrana District Court after being caught with drugs valued at a total of €1,386.92 on six different dates.
After undercover Gardaí mounted an intelligence-led operation targeting drug-related activity,
McLaughlin was observed selling cocaine valued at €100 on April 14, 2022. On April 21, 2022 he was caught selling €50 worth of cannabis and he was subsequently caught selling €100 of cocaine on April 28, 2022.
He was also before the court in relation to other drug-related charges.
On March 5, 2021, Gardai observed McLaughlin acting suspiciously. When searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act, McLaughlin was found in possession of three bags of cocaine.
Gardai subsequently executed a search warrant at McLaughlin’s home, where they found cannabis valued at €186.20, five ecstasy tablets worth a combined €50 and a stash of cocaine, including that located on his person, with a value of €345.72.
At 8.32am on December 6, 2021 Detective Garda Ciaran Kelly executed a warrant at McLaughlin’s home and €30 worth of cannabis was found in the defendant’s bedroom.
A search warrant was also executed at McLaughlin’s home on February 17, 2022 when €140 worth of cocaine and cannabis worth €385 was seized.
Judge Cunningham noted that McLaughlin had not been fully engaging with the Probation Service and his mother – who was present with her son in court – had to contact them on his behalf.
Solicitor Mr Ciaran Mac Lochlainn said his client was away fishing for long periods but has since returned home.
Judge Cunningham said they were not minor offences and that the incidents happened across a period of six separate dates.
Mr Mac Lochlainn said his client is now in full-time employment and is anxious to get on with his life. He said his client was “foolish” and asked the court to show whatever leniency it could.
Judge Cunningham rose to consider the matter.
Upon returning to pass sentence, Judge Cunningham said McLaughlin was “beyond foolish”.
“I don’t deem it just a foolish act,” Judge Cunningham said. “He was going around business premises in Carndonagh with drugs and selling those drugs to young people, I assume, in the area. There were six different dates where he was apprehended.”
On one of the charges, McLaughlin was convicted and ordered to complete 120 hours of community service in lieu of six months in prison.
On another charge, the defendant was convicted and sentenced to eight months in prison. The sentence was suspended for a period of 18 months. The other charges were marked as taken into consideration.
Judge Cunningham said that but for the fact McLaughlin appeared to have turned his life around he would have been looking at a custodial sentence.
“I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt,” Judge Cunningham said. “I encourage him to continue on the path he is on now and not revert. If he is back before the court, there will be very serious implications.”
