Drugs trade ‘almost impossible to deal with’ - Waterford Judge
Judge Kevin Staunton said the defendant had contributed to the drug trade that’s almost impossible to deal with.
“There’s so much of it about, it’s almost impossible to deal with,” a Waterford District Court judge said last week in relation to the prevalence of drugs in society.
Judge Kevin Staunton was commenting at a sentencing hearing.
Frank Mullane (31), of 8 Breffni Close, Lismore Lawn, Waterford city, was before the court for possession of drugs, and possession of drugs for sale or supply, under the Misuse of Drugs Act, as well as a money laundering offence, all at the same address, on January 21, 2024.
He pleaded guilty to all matters.
The court heard that over €3,000 worth of cannabis was seized, as well as cash.
Mr Mullane had been supplying his friends. The court heard that Mr Mullane was receiving a payment for storing the cannabis for someone else.
He is working full-time in a landscaping business, and references were made available to the court.
He has no previous convictions, and has not come to the attention of Gardaí in the two years since.
Solicitor Ken Cunningham said that Mr Mullane was a person “of integrity and kindness”, who assists with active people in the community.
“He’s not your classic individual before the court, he’s used his time very wisely,” Mr Cunningham said of the two years since the offences had occurred.
Although part of the cash seized was the proceeds of the sale of cannabis, Mr Cunningham said some of it had been money saved by Mr Mullane.
Judge Kevin Staunton said Mr Mullane had contributed to the drug trade that’s almost impossible to deal with.
He ordered that the cash that was seized be forfeited to the State and destroyed. In relation to the sale or supply offence, he convicted and sentenced Mr Mullane to 10 months in prison, which he suspended for two years.
He also convicted and fined him €1,200 for drug possession. He took the money laundering matter into consideration.
