Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 12683Possession of cannabis (Misuse of Drugs Act, Section 3) · Co. Donegal · 16 Jun 2023

Buncrana man (64) avoids cannabis possession conviction with €200 charity donation

Fergal Pleimean, 64, of Buncrana, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis found in his kitchen press during a 2023 search and was directed by Judge Deirdre Gearty to pay €200 to the autism charity iCARE in lieu of a conviction.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced16 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatFergal Pleimean pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis under Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act (donegallive.ie)
  • whatTwo grammes of suspected cannabis were found (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe cannabis was found in a kitchen press at his home on Cockhill Road, Buncrana (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationA Presumptive Drug Testing test was completed on the substance and came back positive for cannabis (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned until 9 October for a receipt of payment to be produced (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe judge pledged to apply the probation act if the sum is paid (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Deirdre Gearty directed the defendant to pay €200 to the autism charity iCARE in lieu of a conviction (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe cannabis was valued at €40 (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe court accepted the cannabis was for the man's own personal use (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe defendant has previous convictions for drink driving and driving under the influence of drugs (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe defendant has no previous conviction for possession of drugs (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Sep2025
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Buncrana man (64) had cannabis stashed in his kitchen press when gardai came calling

    Court hearing at Buncrana District Court where the defendant pleaded guilty and was directed to make a €200 donation to iCARE in lieu of a conviction, with the case adjourned to 9 October for a receipt.

    accused, Fergal Pleimean, 64, male, named, irish (judged from name)Fergal Pleimean