Ireland Man sentenced to community service for drug possession in Portlaoise
Ali Hamisi (27), a man, was convicted at Portlaoise District Court of possessing drugs for personal use, with offences at French Church Street and at Tower Hill, Portlaoise on March 16, 2025. Gardaí said he was found with €10 and €20 worth of drugs, and a probation report rated him at very high risk of reoffending. He had 12 previous convictions for possession, and his barrister said he wanted a clean break from the courts rather than community service. On 5 May 2026 Judge Susan Fay imposed 50 hours of community service in lieu of two months in prison, ordered the drugs destroyed, and fixed recognisance in case of appeal.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced5 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Ali Hamisi, 27, was convicted of possessing drugs for personal use.
- Where
- One offence took place at French Church Street.
- One offence took place at Tower Hill, Portlaoise.
- When
- The French Church Street offence was on July 8, and the article does not give the year.
- The Tower Hill, Portlaoise offence was on March 16, 2025.
- Investigation
- Gardaí said he was found in possession of €10 and €20 worth of drugs for personal use.
- In court
- The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court before Judge Susan Fay.
- The probation report stated he was at very high risk of reoffending.
- He had 12 previous convictions for possession of drugs.
- The judge said he was at risk of going to prison.
- His barrister said he wanted a clean break from the courts rather than community service and believed community service would hold him back from getting a job.
- He was found suitable for community service and wished to take it up.
- Sentence
- On 5 May 2026 the judge imposed 50 hours of community service in lieu of two months in prison.
- The judge issued a destruction order for the drugs.
- Recognisance was fixed in case of appeal.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAli Hamisi was in court for possessing drugs for personal use. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereOne offence was at French Church Street. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenOne offence was at Tower Hill, Portlaoise, on March 16, 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí said he was found in possession of €10 and €20 worth of drugs for personal use. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe man wanted a clean break from the courts rather than community service. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe probation report stated that he was at very high risk of reoffending. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtHe had 12 previous convictions for possession of drugs. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge said he was at risk of going to prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtHis barrister said he believed community service would hold him back from getting a job. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtHe was found suitable for community service and wished to take it up. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed 50 hours of community service in lieu of two months in prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge issued a destruction order for the drugs. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceRecognisance was fixed in case of appeal. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 May2026Man caught with drugs in Laois wanted ‘clean break’ from the courts not community service
Reports the Portlaoise District Court sentencing: 50 hours of community service in lieu of two months in prison, a destruction order for the drugs, and recognisance fixed in case of appeal.
convicted, Ali Hamisi, 27, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ali Hamisi