Barrister claims that cannabis has contributed to Kildare court defendant's mental health issues

A Naas District Court judge was told that a young man's mental health issues have been exacerbated by cannabis usage.

The man, who is aged in his 20s, appeared before Judge Desmond Zaidan on Thursday, January 18, and pleaded guilty to possessing around €60 worth of cannabis in County Kildare back on a date in 2021.

His defending barrister, Mark Gibbons, informed Judge Zaidan that his client's mental health issues have been amplified due to his usage of cannabis.

It was also heard that the man has one previous conviction relating to a drug offence.

When the judge asked the man if he had stopped taking cannabis, Mr Gibbons said on behalf of his client: "To be transparent with you judge: not totally, no."

Judge Zaidan asked the man when he started taking cannabis, the man replied: "I started when I was 16."

The judge then asked him why he started, and Mr Gibbons explained that the death of one of his parents drove him to take up consuming cannabis, and he 'began to rely on it (in order to deal with his grief).'

Speaking directly to the man, Judge Zaidan said: "I'm going to give you a chance, but you need to give yourself a chance.

"You're only in your early twenties; you have your whole life ahead of you."

He referred the man to a probation worker present in the court and adjourned the case to a date in May for sentencing.

A probation report is also expected on this date.

In a separate case heard later that day, a defendant before the court admitted to the judge that he is still consuming cannabis.

The judge thanked the defendant for his honesty about his cannabis usage.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Samaritans Ireland (116123 or jo@samaritans.org) or you can visit pieta.ie (24/7 Free Crisis Helpline: 1800 247 247 or Text HELP to 51444).

For further information related to seeking treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, please contact the HSE's confidential drugs and alcohol freephone helpline on 1800 459 459, from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm, or email helpline@hse.ie.

You can also visit: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/addiction/drugshivhelpline/.