Man found with ketamine at Kildare music festival
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A MAN found with €500 worth of ketamine at the Temptation Music Festival in Athy two years ago found his barrister in something of a bidding war with the judge in a semi-successful effort to avoid a recorded conviction.
AJ Dillon (22) with an address at Killala Road, Cabra West, Dublin 7 returned to Kildare to attend Athy District Court for sentencing on the possession charge, after having pleaded guilty on a previous date.
The court hear how Mr Dillon was charged possession of the horse tranquillizer at Burton House outside of Athy at the one-day techno festival on Easter Sunday 21 March 2024.
“That’s a lot of Ketamine,” noted Judge Desmond Zaidan.
“At the time my client was laboring under an addiction to ketamine after the death of his father, but hasn’t touched it since,” said defending barrister Hugo Mills.
“Mr Dillon has epilepsy, but now taking prescribed medication.
“He is in court with his mother, and his former job is being held for him,” added Mr Mills.
Perhaps seeing the way the defence was going, Judge Zaidan noted again: “€500 worth of ketamine”
“That’s very serious,” agreed Mr Mills, who then began the process of offering a payment to court from his client to avoid a formal conviction, and perhaps benefit from the Probation Act.
Mr Mills opened with €500 but the judge said an emphatic: “No!”
He then doubled his offer to €1,000, but again the judge was steadfast in his refusal.
When he finally offered €1,500, Judge Zaidan agreed, and ordered Dillon to pay €500 each to the local rehab resource Cuan Mhuire, St Vincent de Paul Athy, but was stuck for a third until barrister James P. O’Brien suggested Positive Futures Ireland, a Louth-based charity that assists people with intellectual disabilities.
Judge Zaidan agreed, and gave Mr Dillon until 10 November to come up with receipts from all three charities or face the consequences.
