Man caught with cocaine and cannabis in Portlaoise was ‘struggling’

A man admitted having cocaine and cannabis in Portlaoise. 

Dan Bruha, 40, with an address at 53 Triogue Manor, Portlaoise admitted having the drugs at his address on June 29, 2020. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the drugs had a combined value of €60. He said the defendant had 11 previous convictions. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said the offences dated from 2020 and his client had addiction difficulties at the time but is doing well now.

“He was struggling for a few years,” he explained. 

Mr Fitzgerald said his client was from the Czech Republic and works locally. 

Judge Andrew Cody fined the man €200 for each of the possession charges. He allowed the man six months to pay the fine.