Judge tells Kerry man, ‘apply yourself to horticulture’ after cannabis plants discovered
The KerrymanA judge advised a north Kerry man he would be better to ‘apply himself to horticulture’ after gardaí found two cannabis plants and €2,600 worth of cannabis in his house and car.
Adam Allen (32) of St Brendan’s Terrace, Listowel, appeared before Listowel District Court on Thursday, October 16.
He was charged with possession of an illegal drug, cultivation of cannabis plants and possession of drugs for sale and supply.
The court heard Mr Allen came to gardaí attention for disturbing public order on September 16, 2024. Gardai searched him and found a small amount of cannabis on his person and so searched his car, where they discovered a larger quantity, a garda told the court.
It was said this caused gardaí to search his house at St Brendan’s Terrace, where they found large quantities of the drug, as well as two cannabis plants, scales and plastic bags typically used for drug sales.
Solicitor Pat Mann said his client was a full-time carer for his grandmother and had only come to gardai attention when he went to an off-licence while intoxicated and they had phoned the gardaí.
“He was then brought to Listowel station,” said Mr Mann. “He was more than frank, he conceded and admitted every single thing.”
He said the incident had changed his client who, he was told, had not drunk alcohol since last September.
Mr Allen was “ferociously cooperative” with gardai, said Mr Mann.
Mr Mann explained the cannabis plants were from “seeds found at the bottom of a plastic bag”.
“He put them in the ground and they just grew,” said the solicitor.
“Maybe he should apply himself so to horticulture,” replied Judge David Waters.
He fined Mr Allen €500 for possession for sale and supply, taking the drug possession charge into account.