Wexford man found with 960 Xanax tablets said drugs were for personal use
Wexford PeopleA Wexford man found with almost 1,000 tablets has told a court he intended to use the drugs himself while living rough.
Philip Leniston (32), of no fixed abode, appeared before Wexford District Court charged with possession of drugs and possession of drugs for sale or supply. He pleaded guilty to simple possession, with the more serious charge withdrawn by the State.
Garda Lally gave evidence to the court that on December 12 2024 he observed the accused acting suspiciously sitting on a bench near The Avenue, Gorey, Wexford. The accused was searched resulting in 960 tablets being found on his person.
Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) confirmed the 64 blister packets to be alprazolam, commonly known as Xanax, with an estimated value of €1920.
Counsel for the accused, Maebh Fenton BL, provided a letter from Clonard Medical Centre confirming that Leniston does have a prescription for Xanax. The barrister stated that while the volume of tablets found is more than the prescribed amount Leniston had stated the drugs were for his own personal use.
Giving sworn evidence Leniston stated he was homeless at the time of the incident and had saved up social welfare payments in order to purchase the tablets in advance saying it wouldn’t take him long to consume the tablets back then. The defendant said he would take between 10-20 Xanax tablets a day to get through winter while living in a tent.
Judge Cheatle ordered a probation report be carried out commenting that there seems to be too much tablets for personal use.
The matter has been adjourned to June 13 for a probation report to be carried out.