Ultimatum given by judge in relation to Mayo cocaine possession case

A Mayo man has been warned he is heading into a worrying pattern of offending after refusing to engage with the probation services in relation to a drugs charge.

Mark Fallon, of St. Mary’s Crescent, Westport, appeared before Judge Sandra Murphy at Castlebar District Court.

Solicitor Ms. Cathy McDarby, representing the defendant, told the court she had spoken with her client and brought him outside in relation to a probation report and had him on board to engage with probation services.

It was then stated in court by Ms. Judy Quinlan of the probation services that Fallon had changed his mind about engaging with probation.

Ms. McDarby said her client was reticent and that there was an 'avoidance mechanism' at play, adding that probation was not something within his control as it had been ordered by the court.

However, she said Ms. Quinlan had confirmed he would not proceed.

Judge Sandra Murphy noted the defendant, who was born in 2002, had one previous conviction for drugs and one for criminal damage.

Ms. McDarby said the value involved in the matter was €17.50 and described her client as a pleasant young man to deal with, adding it was an avoidance issue from him.

Judge Murphy said the accused had previous matters including unauthorised taking of a vehicle and criminal damage in 2020, as well as a previous probation order.

She said that as things stood, he now had two probation orders and was heading into a different pattern.

Judge Murphy said the current matter related to a Section 3 drugs offence involving cocaine.

The court heard Fallon was unemployed, though Ms. McDarby said he was a qualified hairdresser.

Judge Murphy said this was the reason she had engaged probation for him and noted that the case had previously been before the court on foot of a warrant.

She warned the defendant he needed to give himself a chance to get out of difficulty.

Ms. McDarby said her client wished to finalise the matter and described his position as foolish, adding she had explained to him that a conviction could impact his ability to travel to countries such as Australia or America, but that he remained adamant.

Judge Murphy said she did not want to see him refuse to engage, noting he was now “in the spotlight” before the court.

The matter was adjourned until April 15 for a final chance for him to engage with probation services, and Judge Murphy said the case would be finalised then.

“You can go one way or another,” she told him.

* Funded under the Courts Reporting Scheme.