Community service for ‘Love/Hate’ actor found supplying cannabis

Love/Hate actor Leroy Harris has been ordered to carry out 150 hours of community service to avoid six months in jail for supplying cannabis.

Dublin District Court had heard the 20-year-old “made a mess” of his chance at avoiding a criminal record.

He had pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cannabis worth €100, and having the drug for the purpose of sale or supply at Sheriff St, in north inner-city Dublin, on October 14 last.

Judge Michael Walsh yesterday said the latest probation report stated that Harris, of Mariner’s Port, was suitable for a community service sanction, and he ordered him to perform 150 hours of work which will be assigned to him by the Probation Service.

Failure to comply with the order will result in a six-month jail term, the judge directed. Harris answered “yeah” when asked if he understood the consequences of breaching the order.

The actor, who suffered injuries in a gun attack in May, had been caught with two packets of cannabis, Dublin District Court had been told during an earlier hearing.

Harris, who feared his career could have been damaged by a criminal conviction, had been searched in a premises by gardaí after he had been spotted putting a suspected drugs package down his trousers.

Cahir O’Higgins, defending, had said Harris had the cannabis for friends.

Mr O’Higgins had said previously in the case that Harris was very lucky “to secure a role in a very prominent drama on RTÉ” and this could open up doors for his acting career. “A conviction might prejudice his capacity to travel,” the lawyer had submitted in pleas for leniency.

The court had also heard that in his spare time, Harris teaches acting to youngsters on a voluntary basis.