Judge states there will be no strike out for first time drug offenders
Reporter:
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Judge Catherine Staines told Portlaoise court on Thursday she would, in the future, be no longer prepared to strike out cases for possession of drugs in cases of first time offenders.
She stated she would no longer apply Section 1(1) of the Probation Act in these circumstances.
She made her comments in the case of Robert Manzanilla (21) of 69 Marina Village, Malahide who faced a number of drugs charges relating to August 29, 2019.
He came before the court charged with possession of cannabis, MDMA, cocaine and ketamine, and possession for sale or supply of ketamine, cannabis, MDMA, and cocaine.
A man pleaded guilty to charges of possession and supply of drugs at Portlaoise District Court. Colm Kelly (29) of Blackhills Abbeyleix appeared before the cour.