A 40-year-old man convicted of drugs offences, who was the subject of a plea for leniency by Fianna Fail justice spokesperson Niall Collins, has been given a three-year suspended sentence at Limerick Circuit Court.
Sentencing Hugo Porter, of St Patrick's Villas, Castleconnell, Co Limerick, Judge Carroll Moran said a letter, which was written to him by Mr Collins, had no influence on his decision and he accepted that the TD sent it with the best of intentions.
Porter, a father of four, was caught in possession of cannabis in a field near Castleconnell in June 2011 following a Garda surveillance operation.
He pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of cannabis worth almost €18,000 for sale or supply.
His case came to public attention last June when it emerged during court proceedings that local TD Mr Collins had written to Judge Moran seeking leniency for Porter, based on compassion for his children who had lost their mother in tragic circumstances.
Mr Collins later expressed regret and admitted writing the letter had been a mistake after he was accused of trying to interfere with judicial independence.
Imposing the three-year suspended sentence this afternoon, Judge Moran said he was taking into account the exceptional circumstances of Porter's family.
He had a report from the Child and Family Agency which expressed confidence in Porter as a parent.
While arrangements had been made for the upbringing of his children, it would create instability in the family if a custodial sentence was imposed, the court heard.
Judge Moran noted as an aggravating factor that a previous suspended sentence had been imposed on Porter for an assault in 2009.
The judge referred to the letter written by Mr Collins because it had become a public matter and said he accepted the TD did it for the best of motives.
When contacted by RTE this afternoon, Mr Collins said he had no comment to make on the case.
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