Man hid over €6k of cannabis in granny’s hay shed

Man hid over €6k of cannabis in granny’s hay shed


A Bonniconlon man who hid over €6,000 worth of cannabis in his granny’s hay shed was given the benefit of the Probation Act after the court heard the ‘system does work’.
David Smith of Carralavin, Bonniconlon, Ballina pleaded guilty last November to possession of cannabis for sale and supply after 421.7g of the drug was recovered on his grandmother’s land. The court heard he had a drug addiction and that he sold the drugs to his friends.
At last week’s sitting of Ballina District Court, Ms Laura Spellman, solicitor for Mr Smith, explained that he had attended Hope House and undergone a residential programme after he was caught by the Gardaí. She said he has provided urinalysis and on June 30 had received a medallion for being one year free of drugs.
Ms Spellman explained that he continues to attend meeting in Hope House at the weekend, that he works part-time on his father’s farm and that he also works with a silage contractor.
Gardaí had Mr Smith’s grandmother’s hay shed under surveillance after receiving information, and when Mr Smith’s arrived he gave the gardaí two packs of cannabis which had a street value of €6,747.20.
Judge Mary Devins commented that Mr Smith had graduated from his treatment with flying colours, while Superintendent Joe Doherty said he was impressed and commented that the system does work.
Judge Devins dismissed the charge against Mr Smith giving him the benefit of the Probation Act.