A MAN accused of possession of drugs couldn’t be in court because he was holding his partner’s hand as she gave birth to their first child, a Limerick judge was told this week.
Newcastle West District Court heard that Paul Quaid (36), of Killoughteen in Newcastle West, could not be in court as he had business even more pressing than answering charges. His first child was being born.
The court heard from his legal representative that Mr Quaid was admitting possession of a total of €70 worth of illegal cannabis products when his home was searched by Gardaí on July 26, 2020.
The court heard that he had 40 previous convictions, but just four of these were drugs related.
Mr Quaid’s solicitor told the court that he had entered a guilty plea and the charges were from a day three years ago, with the proceedings having been delayed by Covid.
“He has been getting his life together and is in a relationship. He cannot be in court today because his partner is having their first child,” the solicitor said.
Judge Coolican convicted Mr Quaid of the offence and fined him €300.
She remarked that she hopes “he will straighten himself out now that he is a father.”
