Suspended prison term for man found with cocaine
The defendant pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court.
A man who was found with a large quantity of cocaine has received a suspended jail term.
Patrick Barrett, aged 27, of 3 Lough Mask Road, Ballinrobe, pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court to possessing drugs for sale or supply on March 15, 2023.
Sgt Conor McShane told the court that a search was carried out on a premises at Lough Mask Road (not the defendant's address) on the date in question and cocaine with a street value of €1,800 was seized. The defendant admitted the drugs belonged to him but said they were mainly for his use. Barrett has several previous convictions for road traffic offences and one for possessing a flick knife.
Solicitor Cathy McDarby said her client was buying in bulk as it was cheaper, and he had been supplying his friends.
"It is the old adage of buy in bulk, buy cheaper," she said. "He was an addicted user and unfortunately subsequently he was involved in a serious assault, and he suffered a serious head injury."
Ms McDarby explained that her client was treated at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin for the head injury and managed to stay off drugs after he left the hospital.
"He will not be back again in court," she said.
Imposing a five-month suspended jail term, Judge Vincent Deane noted the value of the drugs haul was "very high".
