Donation to poor box sees man avoid a conviction
Carlow Courthouse Photo: Michael O'Rourke
A TULLOW man who was found with cannabis in his car during a late night garda patrol in Carlow town has avoided a conviction after making a €250 donation to the court poor box. The 31-year-old appeared before Judge Geraldine Carthy at Carlow District Court and pleaded guilty to section 3 possession of cannabis for personal use.
Gardaí were conducting a mobile patrol in the early hours of 7 February 2025 when they stopped the defendant on Bridge Street, Carlow at 12.15am. A search of the man and his vehicle uncovered cannabis with an estimated street value of €60.
Solicitor Chris Hogan told the court that his client had been dropping a friend home, who was “of personal interest to the gardaí”, and that while the defendant “continues not to smoke it”, he accepted that the cannabis had been in his car.
Mr Hogan said his client had entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity, had completed a college course in strength and conditioning and was hoping to apply for the fire service – a position that requires garda vetting.
“My understanding is that he did get into some difficulty when younger, at 19, and because of that he is not entitled to an adult caution,” the solicitor told the court.
Mr Hogan confirmed that his client had brought a sum of money to court and was in a position to make a donation of €250 to the court poor box.
Judge Carthy said she would leave the matter stand and accepted the court poor box donation, allowing the defendant to leave court without a conviction recorded against him.
