Suspended sentence for man who had drugs for sale or supply
A car chase ensued. File pic
A DEFENDANT who was involved in a car chase with the gardaí and who was later found with €1,800 worth of cannabis for sale or supply was last week sentenced in Carlow District Court.
Shane Keogh, 5 Kyleshall, Raheendoran had pleaded guilty in an earlier court sitting to two counts of careless driving, arising from a car chase with the gardaí at Chapelstown, Carlow on 30 September 2024. He also pleaded guilty to having €1,800 worth of cannabis at that address when gardaí called to his house a week later, on 6 October.
At the earlier court sitting, Sergeant Hud Kelly gave details about the incident that gave rise to the careless driving charges, telling Judge Geraldine Carthy that the gardaí saw Mr Keogh (27) sitting in his car while they were on patrol in the Tullow Road area of Carlow town and that he left the scene at speed when he saw them. He said that Mr Keogh drove into a housing estate and, at one stage, drove towards the squad car. Sgt Kelly continued that the gardaí followed him for a period of time but that they had to abandon the pursuit because it was too dangerous to the public.
Judge Carthy also heard that the gardaí searched Mr Keogh’s house a few days later and found €1,800 worth of cannabis and a cannabis product, when the defendant admitting selling the drug. Sgt Kelly also told the court that Mr Keogh had previously been disqualified for drug-driving, while Judge Carthy noted that he was disqualified at the time of the car chase.
Last week at the sentence hearing, solicitor Joe Farrell told Judge Carthy that Mr Keogh has a very serious health problem and is attending hospital for it. He added that his client wants to return to work and “be a pro-social and contributing member of society”.
Judge Cathy said that the possession of drugs for sale or supply is a very serious offence and then sentenced Mr Keogh to ten months in prison, which she suspended for 18 months. She also disqualified him from driving for two years in connection with the careless driving offence.
