Man told Cork gardaí drugs found in house were 'legal cannabis'

Defendant said he had bought the drugs in a shop, Macroom District court heard

The drugs were confiscated and following analysis confirmed to be cannabis. Picture: Getty

A Cork man who admitted possession of cannabis discovered at his home told investigating gardaí the drugs were “legal cannabis” he “bought in a shop”, Macroom District Court was told.

Inspector Anthony Harrington said gardaí attended an address in Sleaveen Heights, Macroom, on the evening of April 3, 2024, following a report of a disturbance. When they arrived at the property at 9.55pm, they found an individual — identified as Michael Twomey, aged 36, of Sleaveen Heights, Macroom — in highly intoxicated state.

Gardaí were invited into the house and asked Twomey to go into the living room with them to discuss the matter. In the living room, a container containing what looked like cannabis was observed on a countertop.

Twomey told gardaí the substance in the container was “legal cannabis” he had bought in a shop that had a low level of potency. The drugs were confiscated and following analysis confirmed to be cannabis.

Defence solicitor Patrick Goold acknowledged Twomey’s explanation was not a legal defence and in effect was a plea of mitigation. He said Twomey was pleading guilty to possession of illegal drugs contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977. 

The court was told Twomey had 18 previous convictions, though none were drug related.

Mr Goold said his client had suffered from mental health issues, for which he had received inpatient treatment on a number of occasions. He said Twomey genuinely believed the drugs were legal. 

Twomey said he had been “clean and sober” since January and would not make the same mistake again.

Judge John King asked Twomey to make a €100 donation to the court poor box and struck out the matter.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme