Chef sold cannabis to friends to fund habit

By Eimear Cotter

A FORMER chef caught with more than €1,000 worth of cannabis herb was selling to his friends so he could finance his own drug habit, a court heard.

Keith McNamara (22) had hidden the cannabis as well as a weighing scales in a house in Swords.

Judge Dermot Dempsey adjourned sentencing to allow McNamara complete the restorative justice programme.

The defendant had admitted before Swords District Court to possession of cannabis herb for sale or supply on May 18, 2013.

Garda David Smith had said he searched the defendant's home at Boroimhe Beach in Swords and found cannabis herb, plastic bags and a weighing scales.

trouble

Gda Smith said McNamara co-operated fully with gardai and showed them where the drug was hidden. The cannabis had a street value of €1,100.

The court heard McNamara has never been in trouble before.

Defence lawyer Patrick Jackson said the defendant was selling the drug to his close friends so he could afford to finance his own cannabis use.

Mr Jackson said McNamara hasn't smoked cannabis since the raid on his home.

He said the defendant worked as a chef but has left his job and is hoping to retrain as a graphic designer.

Mr Jackson said McNamara is also seeing a counsellor.

Judge Dempsey adjourned the matter to November, ordering McNamara to abstain from cannabis and to complete the restorative justice contract.

hnews@herald.ie