Irish Examiner view: Cork judge's approach to drugs sentencing should be adopted more widely

Recently retired judge Olann Kelleher's use of his discretionary powers when dealing with first offenders has had an extraordinary success rate

Judge Olann Kelleher on his last day presiding over court number 1 at the Criminal Court of Justice, Cork. Picture: David Keane

In the 36 observations and recommendations about the new “Irish Model” approach to drugs, forwarded to the Oireachtas by the Citizens’ Assembly, much emphasis has been placed on a “comprehensive health-led response”, including decriminalisation for people found in possession for personal use.

While no specific mention was made of existing projects which divert potential offenders away from the damaging consequences of opening a criminal record, an outcome from which many never recover, the enlightened work of the visionary, and newly-retired, Cork Judge Olann Kelleher cannot have been far from the minds of members when they commended such an approach.