Saturday 31 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. 20948Possession of cannabis; obstruction · Co. Kilkenny · 23 Feb 2020

Man given suspended sentence for cannabis possession and obstruction at Kilkenny Circuit Court

Adrian McKenna, a man from Lower Village, Kilmacow, Co Kilkenny, was the subject of a garda search under warrant at his home on 23 February 2020. Gardaí said he ran into a room and ripped open a blue bag containing green material, and he was arrested and admitted using cannabis in a garda interview. He admitted possessing cannabis and obstructing gardaí, and at Kilkenny Circuit Court he was convicted under section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, fined €600 for the drugs offence, and given a six-month sentence for obstruction that was suspended for 12 months. The sentencing was reported on 25 May 2023, which is the latest development in the case.

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

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The defendant ripped open a blue bag containing green material when gardaí entered his home.
Where
The search took place at Adrian McKenna's home in Lower Village, Kilmacow, Co Kilkenny.
When
A garda search under warrant took place on 23 February 2020.
Cause
The defence said the defendant was under the influence of intoxicants and had mental health difficulties, and was using cannabis to self-medicate.
Investigation
  • Gardaí had sealed the cannabis in an evidence bag, and it was later found cut open after they left it behind.
  • The defendant was arrested and admitted using cannabis during a garda interview.
Charges
The defendant admitted having cannabis in his possession and obstructing gardaí, and was convicted under section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
In court
  • The defendant had previous convictions, but none under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
  • The defence said the defendant has expressed remorse, apologised, is now in employment and is sober.
  • The judge said the aggravating factors were clear, including the naming of gardaí and their identification numbers in the video, but accepted the defendant had mental health problems and was intoxicated.
Sentence
A €600 fine was imposed for the drugs offence, and a six-month sentence for obstruction was suspended for 12 months on condition of keeping the peace and being of good behaviour.
Other details
  • A mobile phone, a grinder, electronic weighing scales and ziplock bags were seized, and the cannabis in the blue bag was valued at €360.
  • A Facebook video about the day's events, showing the cut-open evidence bag and containing insulting remarks to gardaí, was played in court, and the defendant has since closed the page he used to promote cannabis legalisation activism.
28 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe defendant ripped open a blue bag containing green material when gardaí entered his home. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe search was carried out at Adrian McKenna's home at Lower Village, Kilmacow, Co Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whereThe search was carried out at a home in Lower Village, Kilmacow, Co Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenThe search under warrant took place on 23 February 2020. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • whenA garda search under warrant was carried out on 23 February 2020. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationThe defendant ran into a room and ripped open a blue bag containing green material when gardaí entered. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationGardaí had sealed the cannabis in an evidence bag and later found the bag had been cut open after they left it behind. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationThe defendant was arrested and admitted using cannabis in a garda interview. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • investigationThe defendant was arrested and admitted using cannabis during a garda interview. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeThe defendant was convicted under section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • chargeThe defendant admitted having cannabis in his possession and obstruction. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe defendant had previous convictions but none under the Misuse of Drugs Act. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe defendant admitted possessing cannabis and obstructing gardaí. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe defence said the defendant was under the influence of intoxicants at the time of the offences. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe defence said the defendant had mental health difficulties and was using cannabis to self-medicate. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe defendant had used the Facebook page to promote cannabis legalisation activism and has since closed it. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe defendant has expressed remorse and apologised, and is now in employment and sober. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the aggravating factors included naming gardaí and their identification numbers in the video. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the aggravating factors were clear, including the naming of gardaí, but accepted the defendant had mental health problems and was intoxicated. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceA fine of €600 was imposed for the drugs offence. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceA six-month sentence for obstruction was suspended on condition of keeping the peace and being of good behaviour for 12 months. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge convicted the defendant under section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act and imposed a €600 fine. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defendant was described as physically aggressive and verbally abusive to gardaí. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherA mobile phone, a grinder, electronic weighing scales and ziplock bags were seized. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe cannabis in the blue bag was valued at €360. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherA video posted on Facebook discussed the day's events and showed the cut-open evidence bag. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherThe defendant made insulting remarks to gardaí in the video, which was played in court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
  • otherA video about the day's events, showing the cut-open evidence bag, was posted on Facebook. (kilkennypeople.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 May2023
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, first report
    Man in possession of drugs published video on social media - Kilkenny Live

    Reports the Kilkenny Circuit Court sentencing outcome, with the case's background and the sentence. No matching existing case was found.

    convicted, Adrian McKenna, named, irish (judged from name)Adrian McKenna
  2. 23 May2023
    Sentencedkilkennypeople.ie, follow-up
    Man in possession of drugs publishes video on social media - Kilkenny Live

    Court report of the sentencing at Kilkenny Circuit Court. It adds the garda evidence, the defence and remorse submissions, the judge's remarks, and the €600 fine with a suspended six-month sentence for obstruction.

    convicted, Adrian McKenna, male, named, irish (judged from name)Adrian McKenna