A DISABLED man who developed a DIY cannabis factory at his home in Bundoran using tools he bought at a garden centre has been given suspended prison sentences.
Kevin Granaghan, who is 55, appeared at Letterkenny Circuit Court today, a year after Judge John O’Hagan delayed sentencing in the case.
Gardai raided his home and found an elaborate drug-cultivation centre there.
Granaghan had to walk with the use of a walking stick in court and was said by his lawyer to be in “extremely poor health.”
Gardai had kept him under surveillance for some time before raiding his home.
When they eventually swooped on 16 St Bridget’s Terrace, they discovered almost €30,000 worth of cannabis plants and seeds in sheds and in the home of Granaghan.
The court heard that Granaghan’s home and sheds were set up to grow the plants in special conditions.
The windows had been specially sealed to keep out natural sunlight and the electricity supply had been bypassed using special copper wire.
In the garden of sheds at the rear of his home, a total of 67 cannabis plants and other materials with a total value of €29,800 were found.
There were extractor fans as well as power packs, timers, switches and special watering systems to produce both make and female cannabis plants.
Gardai said they did not believe that Granaghan was capable of carrying out such an operation alone but was taking the rap for others.
When Gardai raided the house under the Misuse of Drugs Act on December 1st, 2010, the front door of the house was open.
Judge John O’Hagan said such behaviour had to be punished.
He jailed Granaghan, who pleaded guilty, for two years on two counts of cultivating and supplying cannabis.
He suspended both sentences, which are to run concurrently, for a period of two years.