‘Love/Hate’ actor Leroy Harris pleads guilty to having cannabis

An actor who appeared in Love/Hate was given an "ultimatum" and pressured into storing €2,500 worth of cannabis to repay a drug debt, Dublin District Court has heard.

Leroy Harris (21), who had a recurring role in the hit RTÉ crime drama, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to unlawful possession of cannabis at an address on Rutland Street, Dublin, on October 8th, 2012, and having the drug for sale or supply on the same date.

Judge Anthony Halpin heard that gardaí searched the address and recovered cannabis worth €2,540. Harris later went to Store Street Garda station and took responsibility for the drugs.

He had a prior criminal conviction for possessing cannabis which resulted in an order last year for him to carry out 150 hours of community service in lieu of a six-month sentence. Judge Halpin noted that the offence before the court pre-dated that case.

Defence solicitor Stephen O’Mahony told Judge Halpin that Harris “was holding the drugs on behalf of a third party”.

The solicitor said his client had built up a cannabis debt of about €1,000 and this happened when Harris was 18 years old. Harris had been smoking cannabis recreationally during his teenage years, but as a result of the debt “he was given an ultimatum” and “he had to hold the drugs or he would face the consequences; he took it on himself to comply”.

Mr O’Mahony asked the court to note that his client had acted in an RTÉ drama but like a lot of actors he does not have consistent work.

“Sounds like a barrister’s life,” remarked Judge Halpin, which drew a smile from the defendant.

His solicitor said Harris no longer abused drugs. The young man had “wised up” and his family was supportive and wanted to make sure he would not get into trouble again.

Judge Anthony Halpin accepted Harris “yielded to pressure placed on him because of a particular debt that was capitalised upon by these people”.

“It is amazing the stranglehold these pushers have over people over money and it does not help these people kick the habit.”

He adjourned the case for four weeks for a probation report on the 21-year-old’s suitability to carry out 90 hours community service in lieu of a six-month term.

Harris, who has an address at from Mariner’s Port, Dublin, remains on bail.