Ireland Derry man's cannabis possession charge struck out at Ballyshannon court
On 11 April 2023 at about 10.40am, gardaí stopped a grey Toyota Yaris at Sminver, Ballyshannon, County Donegal, and reported a strong smell of cannabis in the vehicle. Emmet Rudd, a 22-year-old of Argyle Street, Derry, was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis at Ballyshannon District Court. Rudd told the court the cannabis was medicinal, prescribed by a London doctor and supplied by Intego, a London-based clinic. Judge Ciaran Liddy found the facts proven and struck out the charge, so no conviction was recorded, as reported in April 2024.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two white containers were found, each said to hold cannabis worth about €30.
- Where
- Gardaí stopped a grey Toyota Yaris at Sminver, Ballyshannon, County Donegal.
- When
- The stop took place at 10.40am on 11 April 2023.
- Investigation
- Gardaí reported a strong smell of cannabis in the vehicle.
- Gardaí found a blue jacket with two white containers, each bearing Rudd's name.
- A garda inspector said he was 'not sure' about the letter provided in court, and sources differ on whether Rudd showed the letter to gardaí at the stop.
- Charges
- Emmet Rudd was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis.
- In court
- Judge Ciaran Liddy found the facts proven and struck out the charge at Ballyshannon District Court.
- Rudd said the containers held medicinal cannabis obtained from a doctor for his own use.
- Other details
- The product came from Intego, a London-based cannabis specialist clinic.
- The defence solicitor said the product had to be prescribed in the State.
- Rudd said he had travelled to France and England without trouble.
- Sentence
- No conviction was recorded because the charge was struck out.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatEach container held cannabis worth about €30. (donegallive.ie)
- whereGardaí stopped a grey Toyota Yaris at Sminver, Ballyshannon. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe stop took place at 10.40am on April 11, 2023. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationThere was a strong smell of cannabis in the vehicle. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationGardaí found a blue jacket with two white containers, each bearing Rudd's name. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationA garda inspector said he was 'not sure' about the letter provided in court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtRudd was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis at Ballyshannon District Court. (donegallive.ie)
- courtJudge Ciaran Liddy struck out the charge. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge found the facts proven and struck the matter out. (donegallive.ie)
- otherRudd said the containers held medicinal cannabis obtained from a doctor for his own use. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe product came from Intego, a London-based cannabis specialist clinic. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe defence solicitor said the product had to be prescribed in the State. (donegallive.ie)
- otherRudd said he had travelled to France and England without trouble. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Apr2024Donegal Judge dismisses drugs charge for Derry man prescribed medicinal cannabis
Reports the court outcome: Judge Ciaran Liddy struck out the charge after the defence argued the cannabis was medicinal and prescribed. The garda inspector said he was 'not sure' about the letter, and there was a dispute over whether Rudd had shown it to gardaí at the stop.
accused, Emmet Rudd, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Emmet Rudd