Corkman found with cannabis plants growing in garage after Garda raid

Gardaí found eight cannabis plants being cultivated in the garage of the Ballincollig property after search under warrant, court heard

Peter O’Connell, 44, of 38 Aylesbury, Ballincollig, Co Cork, pleaded guilty on Friday to charges of possession of cannabis he had harvested and he also admitted cultivating further cannabis.

Gardaí raided a house in Ballincollig to carry out a search under warrant and they found cannabis was being cultivated in the garage of the property.

Peter O’Connell, 44, of 38 Aylesbury, Ballincollig, Co Cork, pleaded guilty on Friday to charges of possession of cannabis he had harvested and he also admitted cultivating further cannabis.

Defence solicitor Daithí Ó Donnabháin submitted that eight cannabis plants that were seized at the scene were relatively small plants.

“Since then, he took his habit in hand and effectively went cold turkey after that. He had been taking this substance incorrectly. He was effectively self-medicating,” Mr Ó Donnabháin said.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said the accused man had two previous convictions for possession of drugs and one for having drugs for sale or supply but the convictions dated back to 1999.

Mr Ó Donnabháin asked the judge to take into consideration the age of the convictions.

Judge Olann Kelleher imposed a €500 fine on the accused for possession of cannabis. And for the cultivation, he imposed a sentence of four months imprisonment but suspended it on condition he would have no further offences for the next two years.

Sgt Davis said, “On March 8, 2023, Garda Damien Cremin entered the home of Peter O’Connell under a search warrant.

“During the search, Garda Cremin located eight cannabis plants being cultivated in the garage of the property.

“There was also an amount of cannabis which had already been harvested.

“Peter O’Connell returned to the property during the search and made admissions that he owned the cannabis plants and the cannabis.

“He attended Gurranabraher Garda Station on March 25 and made admissions in a voluntary cautioned statement that he was growing the cannabis plants to cultivate cannabis for his own use.”