Mayo man offers court hair sample to prove he has quit cannabis

A man who admitted possessing cannabis for his own use has offered to give a hair sample to prove to the court that he has stopped using the drug.

Mark Shepherd of Aiden Street, Kiltimagh, appeared before Castlebar District Court in relation to a charge of section 3 possession of drugs on March 30 this year.

Garda Costello was on patrol on Main Street, Kiltimagh, when he saw a Ford Focus owned by Shepherd. He stopped the vehicle. The driver did not have a licence and was identified as Shepherd.

The garda detected a strong smell of cannabis and found the drug in the vehicle. He cautioned Shepherd and carried out a memo interview.

Shepherd admitted the cannabis was for his own use. It was valued at €551.40.

The court heard that Shepherd has one previous conviction relating to a road traffic offence.

Shepherd, representing himself, told the court that he had quit cannabis. He said he no longer had a doctor but had ‘new lines of enquiry’ towards getting a new GP.

“I am off it, and want to prove it to the court,” he said.

Judge Vincent Deane asked how soon he could show this. Shepherd said he was happy to give a hair sample.

The judge adjourned the case to Wednesday, March 3, for the result of a hair follicle test.

* Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.