Student Avoids Cocaine Conviction with Charity Donation

Letterkenny Court Orders €500 Gift to Hospice

A young advertising and marketing student has received a reprieve from a criminal record after being found with a significant quantity of cocaine. Instead of a conviction, James Meredith was ordered to make a €500 donation to the Donegal Hospice.

Drug Possession Incident

The 20-year-old was stopped and searched by Gardai at Letterkenny Community Centre on January 18th, 2025. During the search, officers discovered he was in possession of cocaine with an estimated street value of €245.

Meredith, originally from Zimbabwe and residing in College Park, Letterkenny, appeared at Letterkenny District Court. He faced charges of unlawfully possessing a controlled drug, specifically cocaine, contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Court’s Decision and Warning

During the proceedings, the court was informed that Meredith had no prior convictions. His solicitor, Mr Frank Dorrian, highlighted that members of Meredith‘s family, including his parents, were present in court to support him.

“This was a significant amount of cocaine.”

—Judge Eiteain Cunningham

Mr Dorrian acknowledged the quantity, suggesting it reflected his client’s usage patterns. Judge Eiteain Cunningham stated she was prepared to offer Meredith an opportunity, acknowledging the nature and volume of the drug found.

The judge mandated a €500 donation to the Donegal Hospice. The funds have since been paid into court. However, Judge Cunningham issued a stern warning, emphasizing that any future offences of a similar nature would result in a harsher outcome.

The decision reflects a trend in Irish courts where community-based resolutions, such as charitable donations, are sometimes offered for drug possession offences, particularly for first-time offenders without prior records. For instance, in a similar case in Dublin last year, a young man caught with cannabis was directed to donate to a local youth support service rather than face a conviction.