This article is from page 11 of the 2008-07-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
A CONVICTED killer who was caught with two bars of cannabis resin has been jailed for two years, one suspended.
Michael Nihill (33), formerly of Church Drive, Clarecastle, was con- victed in 2001 of the manslaughter of Mikie Shannon, who died in a row at Lysaght’s laneway, Ennis, on April 2, 2000. Nihill has served his sentence for that offence.
At Ennis Circuit Court yesterday, Nihill admitted possession of can- nabis resin for the purpose of sale or supply, at Limerick Road, Ennis, on July 1, 2006.
Garda Eric Stafford told the court that a garda surveillance operation was in place on the date in question. As part of this, gardai searched the driver and passenger of a car, but
found nothing.
They then searched the car and found two bars of a brown substance hidden in the boot. Analysis of the substance showed that it was canna- bis resin.
Gardai then carried out a search of a house, where they found eight packets of self-sealing plastic bags, a digital weighing scales and €1,060 cash in a holdall bag in a bedroom wardrobe.
‘The accused was interviewed. He indicated he had these two bars of cannabis resin for his own use. He said it was easier to buy it in large amounts,” said the garda.
The court was told the value of the drugs seized was €3,500.
Garda Stafford said Nihill had sev- eral previous convictions, including two for possession of drugs. He was also convicted of manslaughter and
jailed for eight years in 2001.
Defence barrister Michael Collins said his client had endeavoured to plead guilty to the charge in the dis- trict court, but jurisdiction had been declined.
Referring to the manslaughter con- viction, he explained that his client and another man had been charged with murder, after they attacked someone who had bullied them at school.
“The case went to trial. He was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to eight years,’ said Mr Collins.
He said that his client was in a re- lationship and his partner gave birth to a baby girl just eight weeks ago. Nihill’s girlfriend told the court she lives with him in Corofin and she would probably have to give up her job if he went to jail.
Mr Collins said the offence before the court happened two years ago and his client hadn’t got into trouble since, adding, “given his previous offences he is a man who could find trouble if he looked for it”.
He said that Nihill worked as a plasterer until recently and has at- tended Narcotics Anonymous.
He asked for the commencement of any prison sentence to be postponed, because of his client’s personal cir- cumstances.
Judge Carroll Moran said that pos- session of drugs for the purpose of sale or supply was very serious.
“We are told incessantly it is an of- fence to be dealt with severely. I have to impose an immediate prison sen- tence. I may defer it,” he said.
He imposed a two year jail term, one suspended, and deferred its com- mencement until October 1.