Wicklow man (20) who sold cannabis that he grew in his bedroom avoids jail
Today at 03:00
A young Bray man described as a 'novice, budding drug dealer' for selling cannabis from plants he had grown in his bedroom has avoided being sent to prison.
Lee O'Brien (20) of Old Court Avenue, Bray, Co Wicklow – who is also known as Lee Gummerson – pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of drugs for sale or supply at his home contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
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Irish Examiner
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Truck driver 'maintaining his innocence' over €2.1m cannabis seizure in Cork, court told
A 59-year-old truck driver charged in connection with a €2.1m drug seizure in Cork is 'maintaining his innocence' in the matter, a court has heard. Robert Slivar of no fixed abode, but formerly of Ivanic in Croatia, appeared before a special sitting of Cork District Court last Saturday. He was charged with two offences relating to the seizure of 93 packages of herbal cannabis with a weight of 107kg. Mr Slivar, who travelled to Cork by ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium, was charged with cannabis possession and possession of cannabis for sale or supply at the Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy, on July 27 last. The alleged offence is contrary to section 3 and section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Dt Garda Ryan Dillon previously objected to bail in the case citing the strength of evidence and the seriousness of the charge facing the accused. He said that Mr Silvar made no reply after each charge was put to him under caution. Mr Slivar was remanded in custody to appear before Cork District Court on Wednesday, where solicitor, Diarmuid Kelleher, told Judge John King that his client maintains his innocence of any wrongdoing. A statement of means was handed in to the court and free legal aid was assigned. Mr Kelleher said the employers of the accused were 'very concerned about their truck'. Mr Silvar was assisted throughout the short hearing by a Croatian interpreter. Dressed in dark clothing, he was not required to speak during the hearing. Sgt John Kelleher applied for a four-week remand in the case which he described as being in its 'early stages.' He said that 'DPP directions are still outstanding'. Judge King remanded Mr Silvar in custody to appear in court by video link on August 20 for DPP directions.
Sunday World
29-07-2025
- Sunday World
Young man (20) who sold cannabis that he grew in his bedroom avoids jail
Lee O'Brien (20) – who is also known as Lee Gummerson – pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of drugs for sale or supply A young Bray man described as a 'novice, budding drug dealer' for selling cannabis from plants he had grown in his bedroom has avoided being sent to prison. Lee O'Brien (20) of Old Court Avenue, Bray, Co Wicklow – who is also known as Lee Gummerson – pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of drugs for sale or supply at his home contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Detective Garda Mark Colgan told a sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court that cannabis worth €1,183 was discovered in a search of the accused's home on April 10, 2024. The court heard five cannabis plants worth €4,000 were also found in O'Brien's bedroom during the search. Although the accused claimed the cannabis was for his personal use, Det Sgt Colgan said weighing scales were also found in the property. He said O'Brien told gardaí that he was feeding his own addiction that had developed after he had started consuming cannabis when was aged around 13-14. Judge John Martin noted that the accused was 'making a monkey' out of a probation report on him given his stance that he was never involved in dealing drugs. However, Det Garda Colgan said he believed O'Brien was 'not a high street dealer' but someone selling the drug 'among his mates.' Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Justin McQuade BL, he confirmed that the accused had not come to Garda attention again since his arrest. The court heard O'Brien, who lived in the house with his mother, had no previous convictions and had cooperated with gardaí. His mother, Denise O'Brien, gave evidence that she had noticed her son change a few years previously when he had become 'quieter'. She told the court that he had since given up cannabis and all tobacco products completely and had 'become more responsible.' Judge John Martin accepted that the volume of drugs involved in the offence was low. He observed that the accused did not have 'a wise head on young shoulders' and claimed he seemed to have been 'a novice, budding drug dealer.' The judge said O'Brien had not fully cooperated with gardaí as he had denied any involvement in drug dealing. However, he accepted that the young man was addicted to cannabis at the time. Sentencing O'Brien to 15 months in prison, Judge Martin said he would suspend the sentence in full for a period of two and a half years. He directed that O'Brien should place himself under the supervision of the Probation Service for the suspended period and remain drug-free and provide clear urine analyses when requested. Stock image: Getty News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, July 29
Irish Independent
29-07-2025
- Irish Independent
Wicklow man (20) who sold cannabis that he grew in his bedroom avoids jail
Bray People Today at 03:00 A young Bray man described as a 'novice, budding drug dealer' for selling cannabis from plants he had grown in his bedroom has avoided being sent to prison. Lee O'Brien (20) of Old Court Avenue, Bray, Co Wicklow – who is also known as Lee Gummerson – pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of drugs for sale or supply at his home contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
