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Dublin father avoids jail for €12K cannabis possession after making "excellent progress"

Summary

A Dublin man has avoided a custodial sentence after pleading guilty to possessing cannabis valued at approximately €12,000 at his home in Kilmore West, Ballyshannon, County Donegal, in February 2013. Jason Lawless, aged 38, received a three-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, which was suspended in full. Judge Catherine Murphy commended his rehabilitation progress over the preceding eighteen months, noting she had rarely witnessed such substantial advancement. The court heard that Lawless, who had struggled with drug addiction for seventeen years, is now drug-free and engaged in education, counselling and therapeutic services. A search of his residence had also uncovered cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Lawless stated he was holding the drugs to discharge a debt. The suspension is conditional on him remaining substance-free and avoiding further offences for three years.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dublin father avoids jail for €12K cannabis possession after making "excellent progress". Charges or matters: possession of cannabis for sale or supply at his home on February 23, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• February 23, 2013 Incident
• 2014-12-16 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report