W2C-015 Kilkenny People-1.txt
Tried to eat cannabis

A MAN tried to eat a piece of cannabis resin when he was being interviewed in Kilkenny Garda Station.

Shane Ryan, Priory Lodge, John's Quay, Kilkenny, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis resin and to obstructing Sgt. Michael Quinlan, Garda Pat Starr and Garda Eamon Doyle.

Garda Pat Starr gave evidence that he and Sgt. Quinlan went to the Kilford Arms at around 5 p.m. on November 12, on the basis of information they had received.

Garda Starr told Ryan, who was with two others, that he wanted to bring him to the Garda Station to search him, as he had reason to believe that he had a controlled drug.

When Ryan stood up, Garda Starr noticed a small slab of material underneath him. When he asked him to account for it, Ryan denied that it was his.

In the interview room at the Garda Station, Garda Starr left the slab of material on the counter and went next door to get an evidence bag. He had just left when he heard a commotion in the interview room. He returned to find Sgt. Quinlan grappling with the defendant.

"Shane Ryan was attempting to eat the material. I retrieved it and placed it in an evidence bag," Garda Starr recalled. The material was found to contain.250 grams of cannabis resin.

Defending solicitor Mr Michael Lanigan said that the 20-year-old, who came from a very good family, was currently attending a hotel and catering college in Portrush. His obstruction of the Gardai was impulsive, when he realised the situation he had got himself into.
"He believed he was facing the demise of his reputation and character and he acted in a way that was stupid and he is sorry for it," said Mr Lanigan.
The solicitor added that Ryan's family was positively ashamed of the disgrace he had brought on them and he would be willing to undergo any test to show the court that he was drugs-free and would remain drugs-free.

Judge William Harnett adjourned the case until February 14 for a Probation Officer's report, querying substance abuse.
