Man to pay €250 to Little Blue Heroes after drugs found at Donegal Town house

A 26-year-old man who pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis worth €50 will escape a conviction if he makes a donation to charity.

Diego Gjowacki, of 34 Marian Villas, Donegal Town was before Donegal District Court on Monday. 

He pleaded guilty to the offence of unlawful possession of cannabis which was detected on March 17, 2023 at his home. 

Inspector Angela Cummins told the court that at 10pm on the evening in question, a search was undertaken under Section 26 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. 

Cannabis valued at €50 was located. “The defendant took ownership,” said Inspector Cummins. “Subsequent tests confirmed it to be cannabis.”

The court heard that the defendant had no previous convictions for misuse of drugs. 

Solicitor Rory O’Brien said: “He accepts that it was wrong. “He fully admitted and was cooperative with the investigation.”

The solicitor asked Judge Michael Connellan to be as lenient as possible. 

The judge said that if €250 was paid to charity by May 1, he would leave Gjowacki without a conviction. A Little Blue Heroes, the garda charity which works with children with life limiting conditions, was the nominated charity. Judge Connellan said that if the donation was not made, a conviction and fine of €500 would be imposed.