Judge Fahy said the cultivation of the plants was well organised and they had been treated with "tender, loving care", with lights, heat and water all laid on. She said she would have thought that caring for three young children would be a full-time job and that the accused would not have had time for parties and the cultivation of the plants.

McKenna told Judge Fahy she did not have a drug problem. "I would not consider cannabis to be a drug. To me it's a plant," she said.

Judge Fahy became annoyed at McKenna's attitude and said that perhaps, the matter should be referred to social services.

McKenna said social services had called to her house already, adding, "I take good care of my kids." Judge Fahy advised defence solicitor, Olivia Traynor to speak to her client telling her that she did not like her client's attitude and the matter was adjourned briefly.

Later in the day, Ms Traynor said her client knew what she said earlier was wrong and she wished to apologise.

Hearing McKenna had no previous convictions for drug-related offences, Judge Fahy adjourned the matter to 23 June for the preparation of a Community Service Report to assess McKenna's suitability to carry out work in her community.

She directed that if McKenna is deemed suitable she is to carry out 130 hours of community service in lieu of a five-month prison sentence.

Comments (2) »

Free Speech!
written by gerry, May 15, 2008

What ever happened to one's right to an opinion and free speech. The judge didn't have to agree with her and certainly did not need to threaten her with the involvement of social services. It seems in our progressive country that one is not entitled to free speech. If she was growing tulips and tending to them as she was the cannabis plants no one would bat an eye.

she was right
written by cris, May 06, 2008

Well? Cannabis is a plant. Since when is it a judge's job
to try and enforce her own puritanical sense of view upon society. This woman was entitled to have parties at her house. Fahy should educate herself on the subject of cannabis, if ignorance of the law is not to be accepted then neither should ignorance of the truth!

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