AN ENGLISHMAN who bought a home in West Cork pleaded guilty to a number of charges arising from the discovery of a sophisticated cannabis growing operation on his property.
Paul Dickenson pleaded guilty in the Cork Circuit Criminal Court to a possession of cannabis charge and to allowing the manufacture, production or preparation of the drug on his property at Delish Drimoleague on November 16th, 1995.
Judge Patrick, Moran was told that Dickenson bought the property the previous April and his coaccused, who was not before the court, was already living there in a caravan.
Garda Michael McCarthy said when gardai searched a locked outhouse near the main house they found six cubicles used for the propagation of cannabis seeds the growing of different sized plants and the drying of the leaves.
Between £25,000 and £30,000 worth of cannabis was found.
Mr Sean Lynch representing, Dickenson said he knew the cannabis was being grown there but was not involved in the operation. He regretted not informing gardai of what was happening. The co accused who was running the operation had disappeared.
Judge Moran said if he believed people were involved in this type of scheme or business he would impose a hefty prison sentence. He was giving the defendant a chance and he sentenced him to four years in prison and suspended it on condition that he keeps the peace for three years.