Judge remains unconvinced about man's drug-free claims
Judge Eoin Garavan.
A man has been ordered to undergo additional testing for illegal drugs.
Edward Coyne, aged 43, of Lough Mask Road, Ballinrobe, pleaded guilty last year at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court to dealing cannabis to pay off a drug debt.
Gda Darragh Devine told the court that officers searched Coyne's former home at Brewery Court, Ballinrobe on June 2, 2021. Cannabis weighing over 300g with a street value of €6,086 was found, along with a weighing scales.
Coyne made full admissions and said he had a €2,100 drug debt. The father-of-eight has 39 previous convictions. He claimed to be drug-free for three years and alcohol-free for eight.
However, Judge Eoin Garavan expressed concern about Coyne's drug-free status at the original hearing, citing a recent drug-driving conviction. Coyne claimed he had inadvertently consumed a jelly which he found in his car and did not know contained cannabis.
Judge Garavan said he had misgivings about the ‘stray jelly’ and the case was adjourned for hair follicle testing.
Coyne produced testing last week that showed he was cannabis-free for the past 12 months, but the test was limited to cannabis.
Judge Garavan expressed concern as the defendant previously admitted taking other drugs including cocaine and heroin during a stint in prison. The judge said he remained unconvinced about the jelly excuse, adding: “I take that with a grain of salt bigger than the cannabis sweet."
Barrister Aine Boyle said she believed her client has “turned a corner finally". The case was adjourned until March 12 for a more complete hair follicle test.
