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. 20477Public order offence; cannabis possession and cultivation · Co. Galway · 30 Apr 2022

Poet fined at Gort District Court for public order offence and cannabis cultivation

On 30 April 2022 at 10.30pm, Daithi Ó Dálaigh (55), of Crannagh, Gort, Galway, committed a public order offence in Gort, when a Garda stopped him from cycling home while intoxicated. Gardaí valued two cannabis plants at his home at €1,600, and he pleaded guilty to possessing and cultivating them, an offence dated 19 December 2021. At Gort District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett convicted him and set fines of €100 for the public order offence and €150 for the cultivation. The latest development, reported on 3 July 2023, is that the judge refused his offer to pay the penalty with a poem.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced3 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Daithi Ó Dálaigh, aged 55, of Crannagh, Gort, Galway, was convicted of a public order offence and of cannabis possession and cultivation.
Where
The public order offence took place in Gort.
When
The public order offence took place at 10.30pm on 30 April 2022.
Cause
A Garda stopped the intoxicated man from cycling home for his own safety.
Investigation
Gardaí put a street value of €1,600 on the two cannabis plants.
Charges
He pleaded guilty to cannabis possession and to cultivating two cannabis plants at his home on 19 December 2021.
In court
  • Judge Alec Gabbett convicted him at Gort District Court.
  • The judge refused his offer to pay the penalty with a poem.
Sentence
  • The judge said he would impose a fine of €100 for the public order offence.
  • The judge fined him €150 for the drug cultivation and took the other offence into account.
Other details
  • The judge described the Garda's actions as good community policing.
  • He told the court he was on social welfare.
  • The court reporting was published by the Clare Echo on 3 July 2023.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe public order offence took place in Gort. (clareecho.ie)
  • whenThe public order offence took place at 10.30pm on 30 April 2022. (clareecho.ie)
  • investigationGardaí put a street value of €1,600 on the two cannabis plants. (clareecho.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to cannabis possession and cultivating two cannabis plants at his home on 19 December 2021. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtJudge Alec Gabbett convicted Daithi Ó Dálaigh at Gort District Court. (clareecho.ie)
  • courtThe judge refused the offer to pay the penalty with a poem. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said he would impose a fine of €100 for the public order offence. (clareecho.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge fined him €150 for the drug cultivation and took the other offence into account. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherA Garda stopped the intoxicated man from cycling home for his own safety. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherThe judge described the Garda's actions as good community policing. (clareecho.ie)
  • otherHe told the court he was on social welfare. (clareecho.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Jul2023
    Sentencedclareecho.ie, first report
    Judge refuses 'theatrical' farm-hand's offer to pay court penalty with a poem - Clare Echo

    Reports the Gort District Court sentencing of Daithi Ó Dálaigh, including fines of €100 and €150 and the judge's refusal to accept a poem as payment.

    convicted, Daithi Ó Dálaigh, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Daithi Ó Dálaigh