A Keady man who was caught by police driving whilst under the influence of cannabis has been handed a 12 month disqualification.
The 20-year-old’s solicitor, whose client was a student in a “high standard degree”, said: “He has great potential but certain difficulties have led him to find himself before this court.”
Ciaran Deasy, of Glen Road, had a plea of guilty entered to a single charge of driving whilst unfit at Armagh Magistrates’, sitting at Newry.
Prosecution outlined that on March 21, at 2.10am, police on patrol in the Keady area observed an Astra being driven on St Patrick’s Street.
Upon watching the vehicle slowly round a corner crossing the white central line, officers stopped the driver, who was identified as the defendant, to speak to him.
A strong smell of cannabis was detected by officers, who noted that Deasy took time to answer questions put to him and that his eyes were glazed.
During a search of the vehicle, police located a grinder with the defendant telling them they would not find any cannabis as he had used all he had.
Defence solicitor Jarlath Fields stated: “This is a 20-year-old student with no record. I ask that he is given credit for his early plea.
“He is a high flyer. He is in a high standard degree in which he is at or near the top of his class. He has great potential but certain difficulties have led him to find himself before this court.”
District Judge Eamonn King stated: “He certainly has a lot of potential and the court wishes that he does achieve that potential.”
Deasy was disqualified from driving for 12 months and was ordered to pay a fine of £200, along with the offender’s levy of £15.
The defendant was certified for the relevant course which could see his ban reduced to one of nine months upon completion.
