Gardaí found 90 diazepam tablets during search, Carlow court heard
Pic: Michael O'Rourke.
A GRAIGUECULLEN man currently serving a custodial sentence was convicted and sentenced to a further eight months at Carlow District Court after 90 suspected diazepam tablets were found during a search of his property.
Christian Schmidt (27) of 11 The Numbers, Graiguecullen, Carlow, who appeared before Judge Geraldine Carthy, pleaded guilty to a charge under section 3 of the (possession for personal use).
The court heard that on 15 March 2022, a warrant was obtained from Wexford District Court and executed later that day. Mr Schmidt was present during the search, in the course of which the 90 tablets were recovered and subsequently confirmed by a Forensic Science Ireland certificate.
Mr Schmidt has 33 previous convictions, including 15 for personal possession and a further four for sale or supply of drugs. His most recent conviction was before Blanchardstown District Court in February.
The court was told that Mr Schmidt is currently serving a custodial sentence with a release date of 19 June. He had breached temporary release and was returned to custody. Bail was never surrendered.
His solicitor Joe Farrell told the court: “We are not looking for bail on this matter”, adding that Mr Schmidt would appear before Wexford District Court via video link the following Monday.
Mr Farrell said his client’s position throughout had been that a section 15 charge (possession with intent to supply) “wasn’t something he was going to be guilty of”. He described Mr Schmidt as “somewhat known to the court” and asked the judge not to impose any additional time.
Judge Carthy acknowledged the section 3 plea, but said that “unfortunately, there has been a long trajectory before the court,” citing the “aggravating factor of previous convictions”.
Mr Schmidt was convicted and sentenced to eight months. Mr Farrell applied for fixed recognisance, which was granted on terms of a €500 own bond, daily signing on at his local garda station and observance of a curfew.
