'A scourge in the community' - Offaly man sentenced to jail to lay down 'serious marker'

Judge Andrew Cody said he had a duty to protect the community when he sentenced a man to prison for a drug offence.

“He's a drug dealer, he's a scourge in the community,” Judge Cody said when Jason Mathews (22), Church View Heights, Edenderry, appeared before him and pleaded guilty to having drugs for sale or supply to others.

The offence was committed on November 13 last year at Mr Mathews' own address and Sergeant Brendan Kearns told Tullamore District Court the defendant had a previous conviction for a similar offence.

Judge Cody said it would be the man's second conviction for the sale or supply of drugs in two years.

Aisling Maloney, defending solicitor, said the drugs were for her client's personal use and use by friends, not the community at large.

Ms Maloney said Mr Mathews was reducing his drug use and was also no longer involved with a particular friend group.

When Judge Cody said a bench warrant had to be issued for the man previously when he should have been in court, Ms Maloney explained that there had been a transport issue for her client at the time.

The judge said the accused had been dealt with “very leniently” in 2023 when a fine of €300 was imposed on him.

“I've a duty to the community to protect them from drug dealers,” said the judge as he imposed a four-month sentence. He fixed recognisances for an appeal.

“There has to be a very serious marker laid down. There's one chance and one chance only,” remarked the judge.