Kilkenny gardaí spot man ‘snorting cocaine’ in city centre -court conviction

Gardaí on patrol in Kilkenny City saw a man ‘snorting a substance’ that he later admitted was cocaine, the local district court has been told.

Sergeant Morgan O’Connor said the gardaí were on patrol on July 12 last at 12.40am when they saw Michael Dowling, Kilcar, Sevenhouses at Barrack Lane, Kilkenny.

When they approached Mr Dowling he dropped a small bag. He later admitted the substance was cocaine and was for his own use.

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Testing confirmed the substance was cocaine and valued at €25.

Mr Dowling had no previous convictions.

Solicitor Alexander Rafter said his client had never been in trouble before. The young man has a visa to travel to Australia in a few weeks.

On the night in question Mr Dowling was out with friends, the solicitor said, and his long-term girlfriend had broken up with him.
Mr Dowling ‘loathes’ drugs, Mr Rafter said, but on this occasion did take them.

Judge Geraldine Carthy convicted Mr Dowling and imposed a fine of €300.