Ireland Kildare man convicted of cannabis possession after child hid drugs from gardaí
A man in his 40s from County Kildare was convicted of possession of cannabis after his child hid a packet of drugs from gardaí during a search of his home on 8 February 2020. The man, who was verbally abusive to officers and denied ownership, was found guilty by Judge Desmond Zaidan at Naas District Court on 13 July 2023 in his absence, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The case was adjourned for sentencing, and the judge later imposed a €1,000 fine with three months to pay. The judge also commented on the manipulation of people who store drugs for dealers and recommended that gardaí inform the Garda Commissioner of his views.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted18 Jul
- Sentenced18 Jul
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A man in his 40s was found to have been storing a quantity of cannabis for someone else in his home in County Kildare.
- During the search the man was verbally abusive to gardaí, denied ownership of the drugs, and his child hid a packet at his request.
- The package contained around €160 worth of cannabis.
- When
- A garda search warrant was executed at the man's home on 8 February 2020.
- Where
- The case was heard at Naas District Court.
- Charges
- The man was charged with possession of cannabis.
- In court
- On 13 July 2023 Judge Desmond Zaidan found the State had proven the offence beyond reasonable doubt in the man's absence and issued a warrant for his arrest.
- The case was adjourned for sentencing to a later date.
- Sentence
- The judge imposed a €1,000 fine with three months to pay.
- Other details
- Three separate probation reports were ordered for the man.
- Defending solicitor David Gibbons told the court the man was easily-led by the other man and had made poor decisions.
- The judge commented on the manipulation of people who store drugs for dealers and recommended that gardaí present in the courthouse inform the Garda Commissioner of his views.
24 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA young man was found to have been storing a quantity of cannabis for someone else in his home in County Kildare (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe man was extremely verbally abusive to gardaí when they entered his home. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe man failed to provide gardaí with any information during the search. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe man's child was fidgeting with a packet during the search. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe child told the garda that the father asked the child to hide the packet. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe package contained around €160 worth of cannabis. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe man became verbally abusive to the child and to the gardaí again after the package was taken. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe man denied any ownership of the drugs. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe court case took place on Thursday, July 13, 2023 (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe man's home was subject to a garda search warrant on 8 February 2020. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe case was heard at Naas District Court (kildarenow.com)
- courtJudge Zaidan said the State had proven the offence beyond all reasonable doubt. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe man was absent from the hearing. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe judge issued a warrant for the man's arrest. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe case was adjourned for sentencing to a later date. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe case was heard at Naas District Court on Thursday, 13 July 2023. (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a €1,000 fine on the man (kildarenow.com)
- sentenceThe man was given three months to pay the fine (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe defending solicitor was David Gibbons (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe defence said the man was easily-led by the other man and had made poor decisions (kildarenow.com)
- otherThree separate probation reports were ordered for the man (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe judge said he often sees people being manipulated by others to hold drugs for them (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe judge said people are often afraid to tell gardaí who their supplier is for fear of retaliation (kildarenow.com)
- otherThe judge recommended gardaí present in the courthouse inform the Garda Commissioner about his views (kildarenow.com)
The reporting
newest first- 18 Jul2023Kildare man told his own child to hide his package of drugs from gardaí
Court report from Naas District Court on 13 July 2023 detailing the garda search, the child's testimony, the judge's finding of guilt, and the adjournment for sentencing.
accused, 40s, male - 18 Jul2023Kildare Judge comments on ‘vicious cycle’ of people being manipulated to store drugs for dealers
Reports the sentencing and Judge Zaidan's remarks on the manipulation of people who store drugs for dealers, including his recommendation that gardaí inform the Garda Commissioner of his views.
convicted, male