Man threw jars of cannabis out bedroom window when he saw Naas gardai

A man threw glass jars of cannabis out his bedroom window when he saw Kildare gardai, Naas District Court heard.

Alan Mayner Jnr of Calliaghstown, Rathcoole was charging with possession for sale or supply of the 55 grams of drugs which had a street value of €1,100 at his home in July last year.

Lawyers for Mr Mayner said that he needed the cannabis (similar to pictured) for his own use for arthritis in his back and he consumed up to 3 grams a week for pain relief.

Naas gardai who arrested Mr Mayner said they believed he panicked when he suddenly saw them at his house for a completely unrelated incident.

They also said they noticed he was in visible pain while being questioned in the garda station.

Judge Desmond Zaidan said about the 55 grams of drugs: "If he took that amount, he would lose the plot. The head would be gone."

The court was told Mr Mayner, who had no previous convictions, was very co-operative and apologetic with gardai.

Inspector Patsy Glennon said that the charge was 'at the lesser end' of Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Judge Zaidan said he needed to see official documentary evidence from a medical consultant that the defendant needed the cannabis for his medical condition.

He added: "I'm sorry, I'm getting skeptical. This [evidence] could be the difference between going to prison and not going to prison."

The case was adjourned to a later date in order for the defendant to provide the documents.