'regrettable situation' Fine for driver who threw €4k cannabis out car window

A MAN caught throwing €4,000 worth of cannabis out his car window had the drug for "social supply," a court heard.

Sean O'Doherty (31) was seen discarding the bag of drugs when gardaí tried to stop the car on a road in the west of the city after becoming suspicious.

He was fined €250 at Blanchardstown District Court.

O'Doherty, from Holywell Grove, Feltrim Road, Swords, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply, as well as having a smaller amount of cocaine.

Garda Sergeant Maria Callaghan said officers on patrol at the Outer Ring Road, Clondalkin on December 6, 2019 saw a car acting suspiciously.

When they tried to stop it, a bag was thrown from it.

Gardaí eventually stopped and spoke to O'Doherty, the driver.

The gardaí got a strong smell of cannabis from the car and searched the occupants.

O'Doherty dropped a bag of cocaine, worth €412, and the cannabis, worth €4,480 was also found.

The accused's plea was on the basis that it was "social supply," his solicitor Damien Coffey said.

After throwing the drugs, he fully complied with gardaí.

O'Doherty had previously worked at paving, as a supervisor in a leaflet delivery business and as a labourer on sites.

"It is regrettable he finds himself in this situation but he is the author of that," Judge David McHugh said.

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