Louth man (36) who failed to undergo urinalysis was ‘smoking cannabis to get to sleep’

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A 36-year-old man who developed a drug habit when he lived in Australia has been jailed for dealing in cocaine when he appeared before the circuit court.

Michael Butterly, Townrath, Ballymakenny, Drogheda, pleaded guilty to possessing the drug for the purpose of sale or supply at Colpe Road, Drogheda, on April 12, 2021.

On that occasion, Gardaí found 100g of cocaine worth €7,000 along with deal bags in a car.

There were no previous convictions, neither had he come to adverse attention since.

The accused had undergone private treatment and aftercare for his drug and gambling addictions.

A sentence hearing last April was adjourned. The defendant did not attend for urinalysis in the meantime.

Barrister Ronan O’Carroll said that he didn’t go because he was smoking cannabis to get to sleep.

He no longer had a cocaine difficulty, and had been assessed by the Probation Service as at low risk of re-offending. He was back living at home.

Mr Butterly acquired a drug habit when living in Australia between 2015 and 2017. This escalated when he came home. He was from a good family background.

Judge Dara Hayes remarked that the tenor of a letter from the defendant’s father was that he did not know about the ongoing drug misuse. This was a matter of concern.

The father also appeared to be the only family member who knew of the offending.

The case had been adjourned for six clear urinalysis reports. Mr Butterly didn’t attend for urinalysis knowing he would fail.

He had not been forthright with his probation officer.

Judge Hayes imposed a two-and-a-half-year sentence, the final 15 months suspended for 15 months on condition that the defendant place himself under Probation Service for 12 months post-release.