Boy warned over supply of €5 drugs to friends

A judge yesterday admonished a young Limerick drug abuser, telling him he did not give “a toss” what he put into his arms, up his nose or into his bottom.

But Judge Patrick Clyne told the 16-year-old youth, he was concerned that he was passing around a drug among his friends in his house without their parents knowing.

The accused admitted supplying a joint of cannabis, which the prosecution valued at €5, to others. Sarah Ryan, solicitor for the youth, asked the court not to record a conviction as the boy had never been in trouble before.

Inspector Paul Reidy said the crime came to light after gardaí went to the house in Ballynanty with a search warrant.

Calling the boy from the public seating area to stand before the bench, Judge Clyne told him while the Jesuits may no longer be in Limerick, he would get a sermon from the bench.

Judge Clyne said: “If the gardaí had a search warrant to enter this house then half the parish must have known about it. I don’t give a toss what you put into your arm, what you put up your nose or into your bottom. But I am concerned at what you gave your friends in your house and this is a very serious matter. You are lucky you still have your head attached to your shoulders.”

The judge then suggested to Ms Ryan her client pay a sum of money to St Vincent de Paul. When she suggested €250, Judge Clyne said that was the kind of sum he had in mind. The boy returned to court a short time later with the €250.

Judge Clyne dismissed the charge on merit and warned the boy he never wanted to see him in court again.