Man found with drugs just weeks after Garda raid on his home

A Ballina man was found with cannabis just weeks after gardaí had uncovered a substantial amount of drugs at his home.

Fionn Downey, The Arches, Ballina pleaded guilty at the local district court to three charges of possession of drugs for sale and supply and six charges of possession of drugs for personal use.

Gda Eoin McFadden told the court that Gardaí attached to the Mayo, Roscommon, Longford Divisional Drugs Unit obtained a search warrant for Downey’s address and searched it on July 17, 2024. Quantities of suspected cannabis, cocaine and MDMA were found. Further analysis confirmed the cannabis to have a value of €3,320, the cocaine had a value of €2,450 and the MDMA was valued at €330. The total value of the seizure was €6,100.

Downey was arrested and conveyed to Ballina Garda Station where he made admissions to owning the illegal drugs. A copy of his thumb print was taken during the arrest, which linked Downey to a drug wrapping containing €532 of cannabis that was seized three days earlier on July 14.

On August 1, 2024 - just a few weeks after the search - Gda Eric Carney observed Downey acting suspiciously on Cathedral Road in Ballina and saw him make an exchange with another male before leaving the scene.

Gda Carney received a search warrant to search Downey’s address and student garda Patrick Kilcoyne located suspected cannabis during the search, later confirmed to have a value of €75. Downey admitted the cannabis was for his own personal use.

On October 31 2024, Gda Oisin McDonagh was on mobile patrol when he observed a Vauxhall Zafira being driven by the defendant. Gda McDonagh stopped Downey, searched the vehicle and located a cannabis joint worth €5. Downey admitted ownership of the drug and said it was for his own personal use. Downey has previous convictions, the most recent in 2018.

Gda McFadden told defending solicitor Denis Molloy that Downey was cooperative during all of the incidents. Gda McFadden said he was aware that Downey was “under pressure” because he was in debt but he “not a dealer".

Mr Molloy said his client has addressed “risk issues” identified in a probation report by securing long-term employment as a builder and handyman with a tradesperson, who wrote a positive testimonial praising Downey’s character. Mr Molloy said his client has also arranged counselling for himself to deal with his addiction problems and provided a testimonial from the counsellor.

“This is a young man who has taken practical steps to reform,” said Mr Molloy.

Judge Ciaran Liddy imposed a 200-hour community service order in lieu of 12 months imprisonment. He said Downey must continue to comply with Probation Service directions and remain in full-time employment.

“The probation report says that he needs structure in his life and this will give him structure," said Judge Liddy who also ordered that all drugs seized be destroyed.

• Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.