“He was trying to sell it to pay back a debt as he was under some level of threat”. That was the excuse given by a man charged with the possession of almost €600 worth of cannabis with the intent to sell it on to end users. Shane Ward of Craeval Park, Moyross, was before Judge O’Kelly at Limerick District Court pleading guilty to the possession of the drug contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act on October 10, 2011. Gardai searched an address in Moyross and it was there that the quantity of drugs had been stored for further sale.
Ward was arrested and conveyed to Henry Street where he made admissions to his involvement in drug sales.
With two previous convictions, the 38 year old disclosed in interview that he owed money to individuals and he had the drugs to sell in an effort to pay them back.
The single father of one was “under some level of threat” and that he had responsibilities to his child with whom he was in daily contact.
Judge O’Kelly said that he took the view that any Section 15 charge before the court was to be taken seriously but gave him credit for his guilty plea.
Ward was convicted to fur months in prison but ordered to serve 80 hours community service in lieu of the prison sentence.
