Teen had cannabis herb valued at €480 in Portlaoise

A teenager admitted having cannabis valued at €480 in Portlaoise. 

Gavin O’Donnell (19) of 16 Island Lodge, Walsh Island, Co Offaly admitted having the cannabis herb at Harpurs Lane, Portarlington on December 26, 2024. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was “stopped and searched” at 3pm on the date in question. He said gardaí found cannabis valued at €480 in his possession. 

Sgt Kirby said the defendant had no previous convictions and had never come to the attention of gardaí before. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client, who was in receipt of disability benefit, was offering a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity. She said her client “had a reliance on cannabis” at the time of the offending. “There are other issues in the background,” she added. She asked that the judge consider allowing the teenager to make a donation to charity in lieu of a conviction. 

“He would very much welcome the opportunity to make a contribution,” she said. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said the defendant’s father was supporting him in court. 

Judge Susan Fay said she would give him a chance. She agreed to strike the matter out if the defendant paid €300 to the court poor box. She stressed that the money was to come from the defendant and not his father. Judge Fay said the default would be to convict and fine €350. 

The defendant paid over the €300 for charity and the case against him was struck out.