Mayo man given a chance by judge despite being part of 'noxious cycle'

A Westport man was on holiday when gardaí discovered more than €6,000 worth of drugs in his apartment.

Adam O’Keefe, aged 31, of St. Mary’s Apartments, Mill Street, Westport, pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cannabis and possession with intent to supply.

Detective Garda Michael Joyce told the court that another resident was present when gardaí searched the property on July 29, 2022.

Officers recovered 330.2gm of cannabis with an estimated street value of €6,664.

Also found in the apartment was €800 in cash, weighing scales, deal bags, and a suspected tick list.

O’Keefe was interviewed three times following the raid.

During the third voluntary interview, he admitted the drugs were his but said they were for personal use.

O’Keefe has one previous conviction.

The defendant maintains he is drug-free and the court heard he is due to start a new job as a lab technician.

Judge Eoin Garavan noted that O’Keefe had been a “part of the noxious and poisonous cycle of drug dealing."

However, he said he was willing to give the defendant a chance.

The judge handed down an 18-month suspended prison sentence and O’Keefe was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of community service.

(Funded under the Courts Reporting Scheme).