Judge dismisses drug charges against Tipperary man

A Templemore man has had three charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act dismissed at Thurles District Court.

John Shoer, 34, of Roscrea Road, Templemore, had been charged with two counts of possession of cannabis and diamorphine and a third charge of intent to sell and supply diamorphine on February 8, 2021.

Judge Elizabeth MacGrath noted the garda evidence that they had found the drugs on a plate under a wardrobe in the defendant’s room.

However, she said she also noted that the room was not locked, there were three other people in the house, and a witness had given evidence that another individual had placed the drugs under the wardrobe.

The judge said that while she noted they were found in his room, she could not say that he was the one in possession of them.

PREVIOUS HEARING

The evidence against Mr Shoer was heard at a previous hearing last year.

At that hearing, the court heard that drugs were seized from a house on the Roscrea Road, Templemore, on February 8, 2021.

Garda Robert O’Donovan told the court that while searching the property, one of his colleagues found diamorphine and cannabis in a plastic bag on a plate under a wardrobe in the defendant’s room.

However, the defendant gave evidence that the drugs were not his, and a witness told the court that another individual had placed them there.

The case was put back for a decision on January 17, 2024.

All three charges have now been dismissed.