Cannabis possession and drunken behaviour fines add €3,900 to Wicklow court’s poor box

By Darragh McCann, The Wicklow People

Several defendants appearing before Bray District Court recently were directed by Judge David Kennedy to make donations to the court poor box in lieu of convictions.

Dylan Burke (22) of 15 Avonbeg Heights, Ballinaclash, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow appeared before Bray District Court charged with possession of drugs (cannabis). Mr Burke pleaded guilty to the charges before the court.

The offence occurred on February 25, 2025. When on patrol, a garda smelt the odour of cannabis coming from the defendant’s vehicle. They then searched the vehicle and uncovered cannabis valued at €30.

The court heard that Mr Burke was subject to a roadside drug and alcohol test, which he passed. Judge David Kennedy directed that a donation of €750 be made to the poor box.

The case was dealt with on September 9, 2025, and since then Burke has paid €750 euro into the court poor box leaving him without a conviction.

Josh Rice (33), of 12 Glenkeen, Redcross, Co Wicklow was charged with possession of drugs (cannabis) at The Beehive, Coolbeg, Ashford, on February 18, 2025.

The court heard Mr Rice was found in possession of cannabis and entered a guilty plea to the charge.

Mr Rice returned to Bray District Court with a receipt confirming payment of €1,200 into the poor box.

Judge Kennedy struck out the matter, leaving him without a conviction.

Nathan O’Sullivan (21), of 54 Ashwood, Roundwood, Co Wicklow was charged with possession of drugs (cannabis) at Ashwood, Roundwood, on May 3, 2025.

Mr O’Sullivan’s solicitor told the court that his client is an electrical apprentice, who earns €250 a week and has a car and insurance loan.

The court heard Mr O’Sullivan “knew cannabis was illegal” and is “extremely remorseful”. Judge Kennedy directed Mr O’Sullivan to pay €750 into the poor box.

The case was adjourned until December 8, 2025, to give Mr O’Sullivan time to make payment.

Callum Kennedy, of 12 St Killian’s Crescent, Bray, Co Wicklow, appeared before Wicklow District Court in July charged with public intoxication and threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.

The offence occurred on May 25, 2025, on Strand Road, Bray, where Mr Kennedy was arrested by gardaí, after reports of aggressive behaviour in a public area.

The court heard back in July that Mr Kennedy was heavily intoxicated at the time, but has since expressed remorse for his actions and said that it would never happen again.

Mr Kennedy’s solicitor told the court in July that her client had previously worked in Australia and wanted to return soon, so wanted no criminal conviction as it would hamper his chances of obtaining a future visa.

At the time, the judge ordered Mr Kennedy to pay €1,200 by September 1 and indicated that a conviction would not be recorded if the sum was paid in full.

Mr Kennedy returned to Bray District Court on September 1 with a receipt showing payment of €1,200 to the poor box, allowing him to avoid a criminal conviction.

A total of €3,900 was paid into the court poor box by four defendants recently before Bray District Court, allowing them to avoid criminal convictions.