Burglary complaint leads gardaí to cannabis plant

A 30-year-old man who called gardaí after his apartment was burgled ended up in court himself after gardaí who arrived initially found a strong smell of cannabis.

Christoph Bardges of Cappamore, Kells, Co Kerry, had returned to his then residence at Gortaforia, Kells, at about 11pm on January 15th, 2014 to find there had been forced entry and disturbance of his rented accommodation.

He called the Cahersiveen gardaí to inform them of the unlawful entry.

However, when gardaí arrived they got “an odour of cannabis”, Cahersiveen District Court was told on Thursday.

Mr Bardges was co-operative with gardaí and showed them a cannabis plant growing upstairs, Insp John Brennan outlined.

The plant was valued at €800.

Guilty plea

Mr Bardges pleaded guilty on Thursday to possession and cultivation of cannabis on the date of January 16th. He had no previous convictions.

Padraig O’Connell said his client, originally from Leipzig, suffered from depression .

He was growing the plant for his own use, he had told him, as he found the price of €30 for two grammes “a rip-off”, the solicitor said.

“He purchased the seed. He is no longer growing it,” Mr O’Connell told the judge, who asked where his client got the plant.

Mr Bardges was questioned by Judge James O’Connor as to whether he was still using cannabis and he said he was, but only at weekends, and was buying it. During the week he tried to occupy himself with woodwork.

“He is the unfortunate victim. He is the one who was burgled and he is now before the court,” Mr O’Connell pleaded.

Judge James O’Connor agreed to adjourn the matter for a report from the Probation Service next October.