Man avoids jail sentence for impeding Garda drugs search

A MAN who denied impeding a drugs search claiming gardaí had been harassing him for years and knew well that he was anti-drugs was convicted of the offence yesterday and given a three-month suspended jail sentence.

Paul O’Brien, aged 31, of Coome East, Glenville, Co Cork, was convicted by Judge Con O’Leary at Cork District Court following a trial that took place last week and was adjourned until yesterday.

Judge O’Leary said the defendant had brought his credibility into question by giving the impression that he was inexperienced about Garda stations and later saying that he had nine years of harassment by gardaí. The judge said O’Brien was also shy about his record of convictions having testified about his good character in evidence.