Offaly man must pay to court poor box and do project

A MAN who pleaded guilty to drug possession will have to complete a course at the Athy Alternative Project in addition to paying €300 into the court poor box, Judge Susan Fay ruled.

“It's not just buying his way out,” Judge Fay told defending solicitor Patrick Martin after he told Tullamore District Court his client was in full-time employment and had €300 for the court poor box.

Daniel Gleeson (24), Garbally, Blueball, was seen by gardai acting suspiciously while seated in a vehicle at Hop Hill, Tullamore on June 27 last year.

A bag of cocaine was found, valued at €280, said Sergeant Brendan Kearns, adding that Mr Gleeson was fully co-operative with the gardai and had no previous convictions.

Judge Fay said the accused would have to earn his chance because she was very concerned about the use of cocaine, hence her order that he complete a course in the Alternative Project.

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When Mr Martin asked if his client could be left without a conviction, the judge adjourned finalisation of the matter to May 20 next, saying: “Let's see how he does on the project.”