A horticulturist who grew four-foot cannabis plants in his home has been commended for his technical ability by Judge Kieran O'Connor at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
However, Judge O'Connor added that while Wayne O'Connor had shown considerable skill in growing the plants from seed, particularly in the Irish climate, he could have put his talents to better use.
O'Connor, (32) of Lahaunes town Bungalow, Lahaunestown Lane, Carrickmines, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis plants at his home on June 22nd, 1997, and to possession of cannabis on the same date.
He was given a three-year suspended sentence for cultivating the plants and fined £100 for possession of the drug.
Det Garda Vincent Rock told the court he and a number of officers raided O'Connor's house after receiving confidential information. O'Connor was co-operative and later showed remorse.
Defence counsel Mr Hugh Harnett SC said O'Connor had worked in his father's nursery business since he was 11 or 12 years old and worked six days a week all his adult life.
He had grown the plants for his own medium- to long-term use.
Judge O'Connor said the size of the plants was of concern to the court and noted that the defendant had managed to grow them to within two feet of their maximum height, normally achievable only under optimum conditions.