Collins letter had no influence on suspended sentence: Judge

A letter to Limerick Circuit Court by a politician on behalf of a drugs dealer did not influence a suspended sentence he was imposing, a judge has said.

Earlier this year, Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Niall Collins came under fire for writing a letter urging leniency for widowed father-of-four Hugo Porter, who admitted having nearly €18,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply in June 2011.

Porter, aged 40, St Patrick Villas, Castleconnell, Co Limerick, was given a suspended three-year sentence by Judge Carroll Moran.

During a Garda surveillance operation Porter and another man were seen driving into a field neat Castleconnell.

Gardaí recovered cannabis and cannabis resin worth €17,698, some of which was stashed in an ammunition box.

Judge Moran said an aggravating factor was Porter had previous convictions and one for assault led to a two year suspended jail sentence. However, the period of suspension had expired.

He said both men were acting in consort and Porter’s co-accused was given a two year jail sentence.

Judge Moran said Porter’s wife died tragically by suicide last January leaving him with four sons aged 21, nine, seven and five, and extended his condolences.

Judge Moran said having regard to all the factors: the trafic death of Porter’s wife and the way it happened; the positive clearance he got from the Child and Family Agency, and the fact that undue punishment would be inflicted on his sons, he was imposing a suspended sentence.

Judge Moran said the case attracted a very large amount of media due to a letter written to the court by a politician.

“I accept the person who wrote the letter for the best of motives and did not think he was doing anything untoward. I have to stress it had no influence on my decision. I will say no more about it.”

The Niall Collins letter was never read out in court and submitted as mitigation at a sentencing hearing last June

Michael Collins, defending, told the sentencing hearing letters and testimonials given into court became the subject matter of a media circus and were used for political gain.