Man caught with cocaine told he can avoid conviction if donation made

Rory Linnane caught with nearly €3,000 worth of cocaine 10 years ago

Judge Clyne said if accused paid €2,700 to the Merchants Quay Project, he would apply the Probation Act,

A man who was caught with nearly €3,000 worth of cocaine 10 years ago has been told he will be spared a conviction if he pays €2,700 to the Merchants Quay Project in Dublin.

Tallaght District Court heard Rory Linnane had returned from Australia to face the charges. It also heard he contacted a solicitors’ firm in Dublin during the summer about the case and they contacted the gardaí.

Sgt Eithne Madden told Judge Patrick Clyne the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed summary disposal only on a plea of guilty.

Sgt Madden said on August 20th, 2005, the gardaí stopped a car on Churchtown Road and found a bag of cocaine. She said they later went to Mr Linnane’s address and found a further quantity of cocaine. The cocaine was worth €2,700.

READ MORE

Mr Linnane (36), Nutgrove Avenue, Churchtown, admitted to simple possession of cocaine and possession of cocaine for sale or supply.

Sgt Madden said Mr Linnane had no previous convictions.

Judge Clyne said if Mr Linnane paid €2,700 to the Merchants Quay Project, he would apply the Probation Act. He put the case back for a fortnight for payment of the donation.