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Hungarian man who cultivated cannabis to help sleep condition avoids jail term

Summary

Istvan Hatos, 31, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to cultivating cannabis at his home to treat sleep apnoea. Gardaí raided his house on 17 February 2014 and found 32 mature plants in two tents upstairs, 10 immature plants in a downstairs bathroom, and dried leaves on a bedroom door. Hatos said he bought seeds online, learned growing from YouTube, and had not intended to sell the crop, hoping instead to have a year's supply for his condition. He had previously been convicted of using a false instrument to claim welfare. Judge Martin Nolan noted the unexpected success of the cultivation, Hatos' cooperation, and lack of intent to sell, and sentenced him to 18 months in prison, suspended on strict conditions.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Hungarian man who cultivated cannabis to help sleep condition avoids jail term. Charges or matters: cultivation of cannabis at his home on February 17, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• February 17, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2015-02-04 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report