Three-month prison sentence for possession of heroin in Kilkenny

A man who admitted possession of heroin for personal use and to begging in a busy city centre carpark was handed down a three-month prison sentence at Kilkenny District Court.

John McCarthy, De Paul House, Carlow pleaded guilty to the offence of begging at the Market Yard on June 5, 2024 and to possession of drugs for personal use at MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre on June 5, 2024.

On this date gardaí received a call from security staff at the shopping centre who said that there was a male smoking in the stairwell of the premises. Gardaí went to the scene and observed the defendant acting suspiciously. He was searched and gardaí found a wrap of tinfoil which tested positive for diamorphine.

The court also heard that on June 5, 2024 gardai received reports of the defendant begging for money at the ticket machine in the Market Yard.

The court heard that the defendant has 26 previous convictions including convictions for trespass, criminal damage and possession.

Solicitor Chris Hogan said that the offences are inter-related and that at the time his client was addicted to heroin and was living ‘a transient lifestyle’. Judge Geraldine Carthy convicted and imposed a sentence.