John Henry, aged 59, of Pic Du Jer Park, Ballinlough, Cork, pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of cannabis for his own use on July 30 last year. Inspector Adrian Gamble said Henry had four previous similar convictions, and two others for having the drug for the purpose of sale or supply.

Solicitor Frank Buttimer said: “This man has chronic medical problems. He has a breathing disorder and heart difficulties.

“There is no justification for it in any way, shape, or form and I would never in any way seek to justify it but he believes it helps him.”

At Cork District Court, Judge Olann Kelleher told the accused: “Whatever your views on cannabis, whether it should be legal or not, the fact is that it is illegal.”

The judge said what concerned him were convictions for having drugs for the purpose of selling or supplying to others. However, Mr Buttimer said the 2008 cases arose out of smoking among a group of friends and the sharing of cannabis.

In the latest offence, Garda Martin Lawton obtained a search warrant to search Henry’s home and a clear plastic bag containing €200 worth of cannabis was found. Henry had told officers the drug was his and for his own use only.

Judge Kelleher fined the defendant €200.