Waterford Judge grants community service order for drug possession
Judge Kevin Stauntion agreed that the defendant was suitable for community service.
A judge agreed to a community service order for a man charged with possession of drugs.
Joseph Fitzpatrick (43), of 105 Dominics Place, Waterford City, was charged under Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act for an offence committed at The Quay, Waterford, on November 17, 2024.
The court heard that Mr Fitzpatrick was searched and two wraps of brown powder were discovered, namely diamorphine worth €50.
Solicitor Ken Cunningham said that his client had a lapse in relation to drug use at the time, but that he had no other pending charges against him and was no longer on methadone and no longer required it.
He is working as a skilled labourer in carpentry, with a reference from a local carpentry outfit.
“It was a once off, and a once off only,” Mr Cunningham said. “It is encouraging that he has had no previous convictions since 2013.”
Judge Kevin Stauntion agreed that Mr Fitzpatrick was suitable for community service, ordering that he complete 140 hours in lieu of a five-month prison sentence.
