Cavan Circuit Court briefs

Had €8k of cannabis A 22-year-old father of two, who pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis resin with a street value of €8,547 for sale or supply, was given a three-year suspended sentence and fined €5,000 at last Wednesday's sitting of Cavan Circuit Court. Colm Traynor had an address at 2 West End, Granard Road, Ballyjamesduff, at the time of the offence, on June 5, 2008, but also had an address at 18 Beech Lawn, Navan. The court heard that the accused was a front-seat passenger in a car owned and driven by his partner, and with two other passengers including a child, when gardaí stopped and searched the car, finding four nine-bars of cannabis resin in the console in the centre of the car. A search of the defendant's home uncovered another nine-bar of the drug, three smaller quantities of cannabis, a weighing scales, cash believed to be the proceeds of drugs and a list of names. A text message on his mobile phone included a request for cannabis resin, and the amount found was sufficient to make 11,845 hand-rolled cigarettes, the court heard. The accused, an apprentice electrician, claimed the cash was from his wages and that the weighing scales was for measuring out his baby's Teethex, a powder to relieve teething pain. On questioning, he admitted that the cannabis resin was his, but didn't reveal the source of the drug because he was "in fear of his life". Mr. Traynor had three previous convictions for possession of drugs for his own use as well as a number of road traffic offences. The offence before last Wednesday's court could have been dealt with in the district court according to the DPP's directions, but Judge Sean MacBride had refused jurisdiction. Testimonials for the accused including from his employer and a counselling service were submitted to Judge Fullam. Noting that the value of drugs found was "significant" and the equipment "indicative of a system of trading", Judge Fullam said he would also have to take into account the mitigating circumstances: the accused "made admissions on the spot", cannabis was traditionally treated less severely than "hard drugs", testimonials from his employer and from FÁS were positive, the accused had a job, a partner and two young children, and "importantly" a testimonial from the Ashling Group saying he had undergone counselling and urinalysis showed clear samples. He said he was also taking into account an email from the accused's father regarding background factors. "Each case must be considered on its own merits," said Judge Fullam. "A custodial sentence is not always in the public interest." He ordered Mr. Traynor to enter into a bond in open court to be of good behaviour and not come to the notice of the courts for three years and ordered payment of the fine within one year, or three months in prison in default. Plea to copyright offence Lisa Keoghan, Edenagully, Bailieborough, pleaded guilty before Judge Raymond Fullam at Cavan Circuit Court last week to having possession of an article specifically designed or adapted for making infringing copies of work contrary to the Copyrights and Related Rights Act. The offence occurred at her home address on a date before July 17, 2007. Prior to entering her plea, the accused was arraigned on that count and 15 others of making illegal copies of CDs and DVDs. Ms. Keoghan entered a 'not guilty' plea and a jury was empanelled, but subsequently pleaded to a single count with the State not proceeding with the others. Mr. Kenneth Connolly, counsel for the accused, made an application for his client to be remanded on continuing bail to the July sittings of the circuit court for a probation report to be prepared with reference to suitability for community service. In the absence of any objection from the State, Judge Fullam granted the application.