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. 9446Possession of cannabis · Co. Leitrim

Man accepts five days in prison in lieu of €150 fine for cannabis possession

Patrick Stokes, a 24-year-old man, was charged with possession of cannabis herb. The incident date is not given in the sources. On 19 May 2026 he appeared by video link from Castlerea prison at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court in County Leitrim, where he pleaded guilty and the judge, Éiteáin Cunningham, imposed a €150 fine. With his consent, the fine was converted to five days' imprisonment in lieu of payment, as reported on 23 May 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced23 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A 24-year-old man, Patrick Stokes, faced a charge of possession of cannabis herb.
When
  • The incident date is not given in the sources.
  • The hearing took place on 19 May 2026 and was reported on 23 May 2026.
Where
The case was heard at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court in County Leitrim.
Charges
Mr Stokes was charged with possession of cannabis herb.
In court
  • He pleaded guilty. Key facts say he had no legal representation acting for him, but the report says defence counsel sought an adjournment, saying they had not yet received full instructions or disclosure.
  • He was already in custody on separate matters and appeared by video link from Castlerea prison.
  • He repeatedly asked for the case to be dealt with that day and interrupted proceedings while the judge tried to clarify his legal position.
Sentence
  • The judge dealt with the case by way of a fine because he had no previous cannabis drug offences.
  • The court imposed a €150 fine.
  • With his consent, the fine was converted to five days' imprisonment in lieu of payment.
Other details
He has 125 previous convictions, none of them for cannabis drug offences.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA 24-year-old man faced a cannabis possession charge. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • whereThe case was heard at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • chargeThe charge related to cannabis herb. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • courtMr Stokes pleaded guilty without legal representation acting on his behalf. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge dealt with the case by way of a fine because he had no previous cannabis offences. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • sentenceThe court imposed a €150 fine. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • sentenceWith his consent, the fine was converted to five days' imprisonment in lieu of payment. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherMr Stokes was already in custody on separate matters. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherMr Stokes had 125 previous convictions. (leitrimobserver.ie)
  • otherHe had no previous convictions for cannabis drug offences. (leitrimobserver.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 May2026
    Sentencedleitrimobserver.ie, first report
    Man tells Leitrim court ‘It’s only a bag of weed -ya’d swear it was murder charges’

    Court report of the hearing on 19 May 2026. Gives the plea, the €150 fine, the conversion to five days in lieu, and the defendant's previous convictions.

    convicted, Patrick Stokes, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Stokes