Ferris: Son has let family down with drugs offence

SINN FÉIN TD Martin Ferris (pictured) has expressed his disappointment following his son’s appearance in court on a drugs possession offence.

His son Cianán, aged 27, avoided a conviction at Tralee District Court for having a “small amount” of cannabis — reported to be thumbnail size — in his possession.

But the Kerry North-West Limerick TD, a noted anti-drugs campaigner, said he had felt let down.

Applying the probation act and directing a €500 contribution to the court’s poor box, Judge James O’Connor told the defendant: “You’ll be 28 soon — it’s time now to be getting a small bit of sense.”

Gardaí had accepted the small amount of cannabis was for personal use. The offence was detected at a Rose of Tralee event last August.

Mr Ferris said he hoped his son, one of the family of six, had learnt his lesson. “I think he has let his mother, his siblings and myself down.

“I have spent my whole adult life campaigning against drugs and will continue to do so. There are many families out there who are not untouched by the drugs problem.”

Cianán Ferris, of The Village, Ardfert, admitted having the cannabis at the Abbey Car Park, Tralee, on August 22 last.

The Rose festival, the court heard, was in full swing and Ferris — who had consumed several drinks — had been given the drug by a friend.

Inspector Donal Ashe, said a garda approached Ferris in the car park and smelt cannabis. The garda searched him and found a small amount of cannabis.