Limerick man suffering from PTSD fined for growing cannabis plants in attic of his home

A LIMERICK man has been fined following the discovery of nearly €4,000 worth of cannabis in the attic of his home on the outskirts of the city.

John Young, aged 42, of Abbeylock, Corbally, pleaded guilty to cultivation and possession of the drugs but successfully contested a charge of possession for sale or supply.

Limerick District Court heard that on November 5, 2024, gardaí received information that there were drugs in Mr Young’s home. A search warrant was obtained and the property was searched a number of days later. 

During the search, 193 grams of cannabis, valued at €3,800, was found in the attic. A heater, fan, lights and a tent were all found along with a weighing scale and jars.  

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Mr Young made several admissions when interviewed by gardaí. He stated he was growing the cannabis for personal use as it helps him deal with his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. "It is the only thing that helps me,” he stated. 

When asked by Garda Eoin Sheahan how he learned to grow cannabis plants, Mr Young said: “On the internet, like YouTube.” He said it made sense to grow cannabis as he smokes on average between 6-7 grams daily. This translates to about one ounce per week. 

Mr Young said growing it costs him about €30 a week in electric bills whereas if he were to purchase from a drug dealer, it would cost a lot more. He claimed the seeds found growing on the day of the search would have lasted until the next growth cycle - a period of between five and six months. 

Mr Young insisted he is not a drug dealer: “I don’t sell cannabis, I grow cannabis,” he stated.

However, rejecting this assertion, Inspector Padraig Sutton said gardaí believe the quantity of cannabis seized was too much to be just for personal use.

Mr Young counteracted this saying he “needs it” for his PTSD as well as other mental health issues.  

The defendant's solicitor John Herbert confirmed his client's PTSD diagnosis dates back nearly a decade and came after he was involved in two road accidents. 

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Judge Peter White was told Mr Young gave gardaí his phone following their arrival at this home and that and no messages suggesting the sale or supply of cannabis were found.

Garda Sheahan also confirmed that no paraphernalia, such as cash, plastic bags or a 'tick list', which are typically associated in drug dealing, were located and there was no sign of people calling to the defendant's home 'at strange hours' to buy drugs. 

Before he started using cannabis, Mr Young said he couldn’t get out of bed and that it helped him. He told gardaí he accepts it's “hard to understand.”  

He worked in construction before his diagnosis and took prescribed medication which didn’t help. Mr Herbert said it had the effect of a tranquiliser and that cannabis is an “easy” way for his client to deal with the symptoms he faces as a result of his mental health struggles. 

Judge White said even though the value of the drugs found “is high,” he has a "sliver of doubt" regarding the Section 15 sale or supply charge. He added he was obliged to give the benefit of any doubt to the defendant and he dismissed the charge.

Fines totalling €650 were imposed and the judge formally directed the destruction of the drugs seized.