Judge issues stark warning on drugs at Roscommon court 

A judge has issued a stark warning to young people to stay away from drugs.

At a recent sitting of the district court in the county, a young man pleaded guilty to possession of €50 worth of ketamine. He had no previous convictions and was very concerned about losing his job as a result of the prosecution, the court was told.

Judge Deirdre Gearty told the young man he was putting his future in “big jeopardy” by taking drugs. She highlighted that a conviction for a drugs offence could prevent him from travelling abroad to Australia or the US.

“I am not sure if people are aware of this,” she said. She directed that the accused pay a €250 fine and the matter was struck out without a recorded conviction.