‘Bulge’ seen in Limerick man’s pocket by gardai was cannabis

A  DRUG user who was caught with significant quantities of cannabis at his home in Limerick on two separate occasions has been sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment.

William Woodland, 25, of Shanabooly Road, Ballynanty has pleaded guilty to possession of the drugs for sale or supply on August 8, 2017 and again on November 3, 2017.

Sergeant David Godfrey said 109 gramms of the drug were seized on the first date after gardai called to the defendant’s home to speak with him in connection with a shooting incident at Kennedy Park a month earlier.

He said Mr Woodland was “in a state of undress” when gardai called and that when he went to put on clothes, gardai noticed a “bulge in his pocket” which turned out to be cannabis herb, worth €2,184.

While the defendant took responsibility for the drugs, he denied he was selling them. 

Sgt Godfrey said cannabis with a street value of more than €700 was seized when Mr Woodland’s home was searched, under warrant, on November 3, 2017.

He said the cannabis was found in 30 clear plastic bags and that almost €3,000 in cash was also seized along with other paraphernalia associated with drug-dealing.

Questioned by David McHugh BL, the sergeant agreed the first detection was made “by chance” and that Mr Woodland had not been on the garda radar for drugs offences prior to that.

The barrister asked the court to note his client’s admissions and guilty plea and the fact that he received a lengthy prison sentence last year for his role in the shooting incident.

He said Mr Woodland was a cannabis user at the time and was “heavily reliant” on the drugs to help him sleep and cope with stress in his life.

“He is a very nice young men who is well-liked in the community,” he said.

Mr McHugh said the defendant is doing well in prison and that he intends moving to the UK following his release from prison.

Judge Tom O’Donnell accepted the value of drugs seized were at the lower end of the scale and that had there been separate prosecutions in relation to each seizure, they would have proceeded in the district court.

He imposed an 18 month prison sentence, which he back-dated to December 11, last.

The cash which was seized on November 3, 2017 is to be forfeited to the State.