guilty plea Woman (54) caught with €2.2k of cannabis says she used it to 'ease' pain

An arthritis sufferer, who claimed she used cannabis to treat her pain, has remanded on bail pending sentence after being caught with more than €2,000 worth of the drug at her home in Dublin.

Joan Leonard, 54, from Sperrin Road in Drimnagh, pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to Misuse of Drugs Act charges, for having cannabis for her own use, and possessing it with intent to supply.

Garda Sergeant Zita Woods told the court gardai obtained a search warrant and went to Leonard’s home. The cannabis was found upstairs in her house.

She made admissions following arrest.

Garda Sergeant Woods told the court Leonard maintained she bought the cannabis for €800 and that it was for her personal use.

However, the supply had a street value of €2,216, the court was told

The woman had no prior criminal convictions.

Pleading for leniency, defence counsel John Griffin said his client suffered from arthritis, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and neuralgia.

“It was her intention to use it to ease the pain,” he said.

A doctor’s letter on her medical issues was available, he said, adding that the case might be suitable for a restorative justice report. This can lead to a first-time offender being spared a criminal record.

Garda Sergeant Woods asked the court to note the accused had also pleaded guilty to intent to supply.

Judge Treasa Kelly refused to ask for the restorative justice approach and adjourned the case until a date in February for a pre-sentence probation report to be furnished to the court.

Download the Sunday World app

Now download the free app for all the latest Sunday World News, Crime, Irish Showbiz and Sport. Available on Apple and Android devices

Online Editors