Man apologises for growing cannabis plant

Man apologises for growing cannabis in wardrobe


A man who apologised for cultivating a cannabis plant in Claremorris was fined €500 at last week’s sitting of Castlebar District Court.
Krzyztof Batogowski of Apartment 3, James Street, Claremorris, a Polish national, appeared before the court after a Garda search of his premises on June 3, 2011. During the search, a mature cannabis plant with a street value of €400 was found in Mr Batogowski’s wardrobe, with a heat source above the plant.
Evidence was heard last April, but sentencing was adjourned because Judge Mary Devins felt the defendant had a lax attitude to the law in Ireland and she wanted to see if he could behave in the intervening period.
Mr Batogowski, a pizza maker, said he had made a mistake, which he regretted, and that he was clean of drugs. He said he respected the Gardaí and the law and asked for the minimal judgement. Inspector Joe Doherty said he felt the defendant was genuine and hoped he had learned his lesson.