Garda U-turn as cannabis caution scheme dropped

A DECISION to include cannabis possession in a new Garda cautioning scheme has been dramatically dropped.

The extraordinary U-turn came late on Tuesday after discussions between the Garda Commissioner and Justice Minister Michael McDowell.

Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy had sent out a directive to senior gardaí on January 15 on the new Adult Cautioning Scheme, which is to come into effect on February 1. The directive stated the possession of cannabis for personal use, under section three of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, was one of a list of crimes that could be dealt with by caution, rather than prosecution. The directive was issued following discussions with the DPP, who agreed the list of cautionable offences and delegated prosecution authority to local superintendents.