A New Ross man who said he acted as a drugs courier to raise money for his family’s Christmas presents was given a three year suspended prison sentence when he appeared before Judge Alice Doyle at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court.

Jason Lawlor (31) of Longmeadows, New Ross, Co Wexford, and also of Cluain Fada, New Ross, pleaded guilty to having the controlled drug cannabis herb in his possession at Bricketstown, Taghmon, Co Wexford on December 2nd 2013.

Garda Stephen Burke told the court the vehicle was stopped by a garda. While the garda spoke to the driver she got the smell of cannabis coming from the car, he said. On inspection of the car four bags were observed at which stage he was arrested brought to Wexford Garda station, Garda Burke said.

Garda Burke said that there was 630 grammes of cannabis herb with a street value of €12,000. The defendant had fifteen previous convictions which were mainly traffic related, he said.

Donal Collins BL said the defendant was acting as a courier on the occasion and was to receive €750. He had originally tried to sell his car to a family member to raise money but the deal fell through. The money amounting to €750 from the drugs courier deal was to buy Christmas presents for his children.

In evidence Lawlor told the court that when the car deal fell through he realised he would not have money to buy Christmas presents for his children and family. He said he was made the offer of €750 to bring the drugs. He realised it was a serious offence. At the time he was consuming cannabis but is now fully clear.

Judge Doyle said he is a young man who is looking after four children and his partner. He left school at 15 years of age and served an apprenticeship as a carpenter and worked up to 2010. He was offered €750 to act as courier for the drugs at a time when he was out of work. He also had a problem with drugs addiction himself, but is now clear and is remorseful.

The amount involved, €12,600, just left him under the amount of €13,000 which would have brought a mandatory sentence. The appropriate sentence for this offence would be three years.

She said she would impose a three year prison sentence, suspended for four years, on condition that he keep the peace, liaise with the probation and welfare services, attend the Cornmarket Project, , attend for counselling services, while he also attend the local employment services where he may be able secure work.

‘This is your last chance. Do not come before the court again,’ Judge Doyle said.