Drugs in society - A confusing sentence

PUBLIC discourse has been dominated for the past number of weeks by the impact drugs, especially cocaine, are having on our society.

Coroners’ courts have recorded death after death brought about by drug misuse. Several families — far too many — have had to make the heartbreaking decision to turn off life-support machines sustaining loved ones irrevocably damaged by drug use.

The debate has had contributions from all quarters; the Taoiseach has wondered why gardaí are not raiding house parties looking for cocaine; others have encouraged the public to do their bit by going to court to give evidence against some of the most dangerous criminals this State has had the misfortune to see.

That’s why it is very difficult to understand why Judge Tony Hunt yesterday imposed a two-year suspended sentence on a man found in possession of more than €12,000 worth of drugs.

The sentence was imposed on the very day that Justice Minister Brian Lenihan said it was important to put drug dealers behind bars for “a substantial time”.

This is all terribly inconsistent and confusing. The judiciary can be precious while defending the independence it rightfully enjoys, but decisions like this undermine the faith all of us should have in our courts.