Waterford man caught 'fleeing the scene' of drugs search avoids conviction
Waterford Courthouse
A 57-year-old man has avoided a conviction at Waterford District Court for running from gardaí who were attempting to execute a search warrant.
Michael Ward (57) of 21 St Catherines Grange, Waterford, was before Waterford District Court charged with obstruction at 18 Lime Grove, Oakridge, Aylesbury Road, Ferrybank on December 22, 2022.
Inspector Keith Goff told the court that on the day of the incident, gardaí were at the address to execute a search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
They went through the house to a shed in the back garden and saw the accused and another individual with what turned out to be €3,400 worth of cannabis.
The defendant ran back through the house and out to his car, where a garda intercepted him and told him he had to remain on the premises.
The court was told that the defendant had three previous convictions for possession of drugs, criminal damage and driving while holding a mobile phone.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Ken Cunningham pointed out that Mr Ward was not the target of the search and was just on the property at the time.
The solicitor said his client had gone to his car to wait when the garda told him there was a warrant.
Inspector Goff refuted this, saying it was his understanding that the other individual, who was not before the court, had facilitated the defendant’s escape when approached by the gardaí.
“He was fleeing from the scene, that is what he was doing,” said Insp Goff.
Mr Cunningham said that wasn’t the case, but his client now knows he cannot leave where a warrant is being executed.
Judge John Cheatle applied Section 1.1 of the Probation Act.
