Suspended sentence after 'bumper crop' of cannabis near Offaly/Tipp border

A SIX-month suspended sentence was imposed on a man convicted of having cannabis for supply to others.

Anthony Wade (60), Cloughjordan, admitted possessing the drug at Cloonaloughan, Cloughjordan on September 27, 2024 when he appeared at Tullamore District Court.

Sergeant Brendan Kearns said the DPP had directed the matter could be disposed of summarily and a plea of guilty was entered on Mr Wade's behalf by his solicitor, Patrick Martin.

Sergeant Kearns said the prosecution resulted from a search where cannabis valued at €3,950 was discovered.

Mr Wade was co-operative with gardai and had one previous conviction which was for uninsured driving and dated from February, 2025.

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Mr Martin told Judge Andrew Cody his client was originally from the UK but had been in Ireland for 40 years.

Mr Wade developed a cannabis habit himself and cultivated it and made it in a tent. “He had quite a bumper crop at the time,” said Mr Martin.

The solicitor said the accused, a man who lived on his own and had one adult daughter, had ceased using cannabis since.

He said Mr Wade had not been working since 2011 because of health issues and the supply element of the charge was to friends.

Mr Martin pointed out that his client had pleaded guilty early. He would not be committing the offence again and had not come to garda attention since.

Sergeant Kearns said there was no evidence of a lavish lifestyle on the part of Mr Wade and he was not a man who was involved in criminality.

Judge Cody said the amount of cannabis involved was substantial. He imposed the six-month sentence but suspended it for three years.