Electrician was just going to give cannabis to his friends because it was of very poor quality, court told

Shane Sweeney (23) claimed he was just going to give the cannabis to his friends because it was of very poor quality.

Judge Cephas Power ordered Sweeney to donate €300 to the Peter McVerry Trust and said he would apply the probation act.

The defendant, of Loughshinny Park in Loughshinny, admitted possession of drugs on May 5, 2020.

Garda Joseph Callan told Swords District Court that gardaí received a number of calls about youths smoking cannabis behind the community centre in Skerries.

Gda Callan said he searched Sweeney, but found nothing.

Gda Callan found a bag nearby containing six small deal bags and the defendant admitted ownership of it. The street value of the cannabis was €340, the court heard.

Defence solicitor Fiona D'Arcy said Sweeney told gardaí he wasn't a drug dealer, but admitted he was giving the cannabis to friends.

Ms D'Arcy asked the judge to be lenient as possible, saying Sweeney had not been in trouble since.