This article is from page 20 of the 2013-06-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 20 JPG
A SHANNON man has been convicted of having cannabis for sale or supply in the town last December.
Aaron Connolly (22) fled after he was seen carrying a weighing scales and cannabis near the Rossbracken estate on December 5 (2012).
Mr Connolly, who was described in court as suffering from an intellectual disability, was pursued by a detective garda into his home at 19 Rossbracken where he was arrested on suspicion of having cannabis for sale or supply.
At Ennis District Court on Tuesday, Mr Connolly denied a charge of having the drug for sale or supply.
Detective Garda David Laing told the court that Mr Connolly “turned on his heels and fled” after he was seen carrying a bag containing weighing scales, zip-lock bags and cannabis.
Analysis subsequently confirmed that the substance was 8 grammes of cannabis, the court heard. Mr Connolly told the court the cannabis was for personal use.
Solicitor Caitriona Carmody said it was the defence’s case that the evidence was illegally obtained by gardaí.
In evidence, Mr Connolly claimed Detective Laing could not have known what was in the bag because it was a non-see-through Dunnes Stores, lined plastic bag.
His mother Christine Connolly also told the court that the bag was non-see-through.
Under cross-examination from Inspector Tom Kennedy, Mr Connolly admitted having cannabis when first seen by Detective Laing.
He said he had removed the drugs from home because he though the house was going to be “raided”.
Mr Connolly did not give an explanation for having the weighing scales.
Addressing the accused, Insp Kennedy said;
“I put it to you that you did not have the weighing scales for baking a cake.”
Judge William Early said if gardaí observe someone committing an arrestable offence, they are entitled to go into that person’s house for the purposes of arrest.
He said he did not believe the evidence of Mr Connolly or his mother. He convicted Mr Connolly of the charge. The accused has previous convictions for public order offences. Solicitor Caitriona Carmody said her client suffers from an intellectual disability and is a “young man who is easily led.”
She said Mr Connolly would benefit from the intervention of the Probation Services.
Judge Early remanded Mr Connolly on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on July 3 for a pre-sentence report.
He said he would recommend 120 hours of community service. A POLIS H mechanic was “extraordinarily reckless” when he bought stolen quad bikes from a man in Ennis last year, a court has heard. Lukas Staszynski (30) purchased the bikes for €800, around an hour after they were stolen from theWoodstock Hotel, Ennis. Mr Staszynski, with an address at 79 Dromard, Ennis, Lahinch Road, appeared before Ennis District Court onTuesday. He pleaded guilty to two charges of handling stolen quad bikes at the Doora Industrial Estate, Quin Road, Ennis on November 16 (2012). He was not charged in connection with the theft of the bikes The court heard that Mr Staszynski runs a breaking shop for spare vehicle parts in the Doora Industrial Estate. Gardaí received a report that two quad bikes had been stolen fromWoodstock at around 9amon November 16. Garda Adrian Diviney of Ennis Garda Station explained that a GPS systemfitted on the bikes enabled gardaí to track the vehicles to Mr Staszynski’s garage. Garda Diviney said he arrived to Mr Staszynski’s buisness premises at around 10am. He told the court that the accused brought himto a lorry that contained a number of vehicles including the quad bikes. The court heard that Mr Staszynski intended to transport one of the quad bikes to his brother in Poland as a present. Garda Diviney said the accused told himthat a man showed up at his premises that morning offering to sell the bikes. He said Mr Staszynski could not provide any information on the seller.The court heard this was a one off transaction. Mr Staszynski has no previous convictions except for road traffic offences. Defence solicitor John Casey said his client cooperated fully with gardaí. He said his client told gardaí that he“thought there might be something wrong” with the bikes. Mr Casey added,“He did pay for thembut he was somewhat anxious about them.” “He should have been more careful.” The court heard that Mr Staszynski’s business is still in operation. Mr Casey said,“He realises he has to be more careful particularly in dealing with the merchandise he is dealing with.” JudgeWilliamEarly said Mr Staszynski had been “extraordinarily careless and reckless” in accepting the bikes. He said if people were not willing to receive stolen property then the incentive would not exist to steal property. Judge Early imposed fines totaling €800. A MA N has appeared in court charged with handling property allegedly stolen during a burglary of a premises in Ennis town centre in March. Martin Donovan (37) is alleged to have handled a stolen Apple MacIntosh Pro laptop valued at €1200 at 14 Carrig an Oir,Tobertascan, Ennis on May 21 (2013). Inspector TomKennedy told Ennis District Court onTuesday that it would be alleged that the computer was stolen during a burglary of Wilson’s Camera shop on O’Connell Street in March. Mr Donovan, with an address at 14 Carrig an Oir, Ennis, is not charged in connection with the burglary. Insp Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed summary disposal of the case. JudgeWilliamEarly requested an outline of the alleged facts to consider jurisdiction of the case. Insp Kennedy said it would be alleged that Mr Donovan brought the laptop to the CarphoneWarehouse shop in Limerick.The court heard that it would be alleged that a security signal was activated after the laptop was switched on. Gardaí went to the store and identified Mr Donovan fromCCTV footage, it is alleged. Judge Early accepted jurisdiction. He also granted a statements order for defence solicitor Daragh Hassett. Mr Donovan was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on June 26.