Fined Ballyshannon man given suspended prison sentence for cannabis possession

A Ballyshannon man was given a suspended prison sentence and fined a combined €550 for three counts of cannabis possession at Ballyshannon District Court. 

Christopher Kilpatrick, 30, of 28 Saimer Drive, Ballyshannon, pleaded guilty to three charges of unlawfully possessing a controlled drug, namely cannabis, contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and Contrary to 27 (1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as substituted by Section 6 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1984.

The charges relate to incidents on February 9, 2021, at Carrickboy, Ballyshannon; January 7, 2023, at Saimer Drive, Ballyshannon; and May 29, 2023, at West Port, Ballyshannon.

Judge Brendan O’Reilly sentenced Kilpatrick to nine months in prison, which was suspended for a period of 18 months. Judge O’Reilly also handed Kilpatrick three separate fines of €200 for the February 2021 incident, €250 for the January 2023 incident, and €100 for the May 2023 incident. 

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The court heard that Kilpatrick had three previous convictions prior to the hearing. 

Kilpatrick’s solicitor, Jim Corbett, told the court: “He is a man who has struggled with addiction. He makes no bones about it. 

“He tells me that he is no longer taking drugs. He realises that it is not a good mechanism to live his life. He tells me he is suffering withdrawal symptoms, so he is making an effort. He is aware of the consequences.

“The circumstances are that he is working in a scheme. He will be involved for a year and a half.”

Before giving his decision, Judge O’Reilly had heard that Kilpatrick had not come to the attention of Gardaí since the date of the last charge. 

Judge O’Reilly said: “He seems to have a good, stable family background and has the support of his family.

“Using cannabis is illegal. This is his sixth time before court. 

“I will give him an opportunity.”