An addict who grew cannabis has avoided a jail term at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Philip Shortall (54), Ashfield Park, Terenure, had been a heavy cannabis user for 20 years.
When his poster-making business suffered due to the economic downturn, he could no longer afford to buy the drug so he started to grow it from seeds he had bought from a head shop.
Shortall pleaded guilty to cannabis cultivation in June 2011. The plants discovered were valued at €13,200. Two bags of cannabis herb with a street value of €3,420 were also found in the Garda search.
Judge Martin Nolan said it was a serious offence to grow cannabis even for a person’s own use but said in all the circumstances it would be unjust to jail Shortall.
He sentenced him to 15 months in jail, which he suspended on strict conditions.