Man who had drugs for sale avoids prison sentence
Carlow Courthouse Pic: Michael O'Rourke
A GRAIGUECULLEN man who contested a charge of having cannabis for sale or supply but who was found guilty by Judge Geraldine Carthy was handed a suspended sentence last week in Carlow District Court. Kyle Nolan, 42 St Fiacc’s Terrace, Graiguecullen was found guilty by Judge Carthy in an earlier court hearing of possessing cannabis worth over €1,000 for sale or supply at that address on 14 December 2023.
Judge Carthy had adjourned sentencing for preparation of a probation report and last week solicitor Joe Farrell handed in letters of reference from rehabilitation centres Cuan Mhuire and Lá Nua to indicate Mr Nolan’s progress in addressing his relationship with drugs. He added that Mr Nolan (31) had contested the case because of the amount of drugs involved and how much he was consuming at the time.
Judge Carthy said the probation report found that the defendant had “a high risk of reoffending because of his use of alcohol and drugs” but that the letters from the rehabilitation centres showed his progress in addressing those problems.
She then convicted and sentenced him to ten months’ imprisonment, but suspended it fully for 18 months. She also ordered Mr Nolan to attend all appointments recommended by the Probation Service and to comply with all of their directions.
She told Mr Nolan that she was giving him a chance, to which he replied, “thank you”.
