Offaly teenager had 'life changing experience' in custody

The mother of a teenager from Clara has 'a completely different son' after he underwent a 'life changing experience' while in custody, Tullamore District Court heard last week.

Appearing before Judge Andrew Cody in Tullamore District Court on Wednesday last was Alan Lisowski (19), with an address at Lissaniskey, Clara.

Sgt. Kearns, court presenter, said that on July 24,2024, Gardaí executing a search warrant found drugs valued at €400, drugs edibles valued at €150 and during the course of a search on October 24, 2024, Gardaí found drugs valued at €3,522. A canister of pepper spray was also seized by Gardaí during the search.

Sgt Kearns said the defendant has previous convictions, but has not come to the attention of the Gardaí since the alleged offences.

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Solicitor for the defendant, Aisling Maloney, said he is "trying very hard to get a job" and has submitted drug analysis reports which do not detect any controlled substances. He was accompanied to the court by his mother and made a charitable donation of €200 to a cancer charity.

Ms Maloney said her client had spent three weeks in custody, which was a "life changing experience" for him.
"His mother says she has a completely different son", Ms Maloney told the Judge, adding he is currently investigating doing an apprenticeship and "is a very different person to whom first appeared before the courts".

After reviewing the defendant's probation reports Judge Cody convicted the defendant under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act for drugs for sale or supply and sentenced him to a total of 12 months imprisonment, suspended on his own bond of €100 for three years.

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He must continue to engage with the probation service and Merchant's Quay rehabilitation services for 12 months.

Judge Cody took all other matters into consideration