Cork man avoids jail after cannabis found in room

A man who moved to Australia eight years ago to get away from a criminal peer group shortly after being arrested for drug possession has received an 18-month suspended sentence.

Aaron Mahoney, aged 30, of Oak Hill, Youghal, Cork, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cannabis herb for sale or supply at Ballygall Crescent, Finglas, Dublin, on July 3, 2008. He has four minor previous convictions.

Garda John Walsh told Elva Duffy BL, prosecuting, that a bench warrant, which existed for Mahoney’s arrest since 2008, was executed in Cork last year when he returned to Ireland.

He said that the cannabis, worth €480, was found on top of a wardrobe in Mahoney’s bedroom. He took responsibility for the drugs and later told gardaí in interview that they were for his own use.

Gda Walsh further accepted that Mahoney no longer used drugs, had moved to Cork with his long-term partner, and no longer associated with his peer group in Finglas.

Ms Jackson told Judge Melanie Greally that her client was originally from Finglas. In 2008, he approached his parents and asked for their support to get away from “his peers who were involved in criminality”. His parents bought him a ticket to Australia.

Judge Greally

said the evidence of Gda Walsh was “extremely favourable” before she sentenced Mahoney to 18 months suspended for two years on strict conditions.