Drug dealer at centre of Collins leniency letter controversy avoids jail

A drug dealer who was the subject of representation by a senior politician has avoided a prison sentence.

Hugo Porter (40) of St Patrick Villa's, Castleconnell, Co Limerick, was caught with almost €18,000 cannabis in a field near Castleconnell, Co Limerick, in June 2011, following a Garda surveillance operation.

Sentencing the father of four at Limerick Circuit Court yesterday, Judge Carroll Moran insisted a letter written by Fianna Fáil's justice spokesman urging for leniency had no influence on his decision to impose a suspended jail sentence.

The case came to public attention after it emerged that Fianna Fáil Deputy Niall Collins had written the letter on behalf of the widower who is the sole carer of his four children following the death of his wife, who took her own life earlier this year.

Handwritten

Collins was widely criticised for writing the letter, which was handwritten on official headed notepaper.

It was not read out in court but was submitted as part of mitigation by Porter’s defence team.

Mr Collins later expressed regret and admitted writing the letter had been a mistake after he was accused of trying to interfere with judicial independence.

When contacted yesterday Mr Collins said he had no comment to make on the outcome of the case.