Man forced to sell drugs in Waterford to pay off debt given another chance
Waterford Courthouse
A man who was forced to sell drugs to pay off a debt has been given a suspended sentence at Waterford District Court.
Patrick Collins (33) of 16 Greenfort Lawns, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs and possession with the intention to sell or supply on the Poleberry Link Road in Waterford on April 16, 2024.
Judge John Cheatle said he would give the man a chance to turn his life around.
“I will give him a chance, but it is a serious matter. I acknowledged that he was coerced, and it is a dangerous world,” said Judge Cheatle.
The court was told that at midday on the day of the incident, gardaí were searching another person when they observed the defendant acting suspiciously.
On searching Mr Collins, gardaí found €900 worth of diamorphine and arrested him.
The court was told that the defendant, who had 10 previous convictions, including one for possession for personal use, cooperated with gardaí.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Ken Cunningham told the court that his client had been dealing with a cocaine problem when he found himself in debt.
He said his client had a history of being assaulted for his debts.
Judge Cheatle asked if the defendant was “out of trouble with these guys,” to which Mr Cunningham said yes.
The solicitor said his client had been “frank and honest” with gardaí in a way he rarely sees in his line of work.
Since the incident, he has completed a group-based stabilisation programme with Anna Liffey Drug Project.
On the charge of possession with the intention to sell or supply, Judge Cheatle sentenced him to six months in prison but suspended the sentence for a year to give the probation officer a chance to help him.
The possession of drugs charge was taken into consideration.
