Young Islandeady man given community service opportunity

Young Islandeady man given community service opportunity


A young 21-year-old Islaneady man who was found with a quantity of drugs valued at €220 was ordered to complete 150 hours of community service or else face six months imprisonment by Judge Mary Devins at last week’s sitting of Westport District Court.
Keith Heraty of Threebridges, Islandeady, Westport was found by Gardai with five bags containing ecstasy pills, valium and MDMA on May 22 last behind a house at Belclare, Westport.
A complaint was made to gardai in relation to a group of eight or nine noisy youths and when gardai arrived they conducted a drugs search on Mr Heraty and some of his acquaintances who were said to be unsteady on their feet and in a dishevelled state.
Drugs which gardai believed to be ecstasy, valium and a powdery substance were found in five bags in Mr Heraty’s possession. After the substances were sent for forensic examination gardai received confirmation that they were controlled illegal substances.
Solicitor for the defendant, Mr Aidan Crowley, said his client was a single man who lived with his mother in Islandeady at weekends, while studying in Galway during the week.
He had recently begun a motor technology PLC course in Galway and was progressing well. His hopes were to progress to a three-year electronic related course at GMIT after the year was completed.
Mr Crowley acknowledged that this was not the first time Mr Heraty had been before the court, but he said he was confident that now that he was back in education he was focused on his future career and had changed his attitude for the better.
After examining the details of the case Judge Devins decided against imposing a six month custodial sentence and suspended it on condition that he completes a mandatory 150 hours community service.
Mr Heraty said he was anxious to avoid going to prison and he agreed to attend a community service assessment on April 7 next where his suitability and the terms for community service will be determined.