‘Get a job’: Judge advises young man caught with drugs in Limerick city

Judge Patricia Harney said: 'For a donation to the poor box, he’ll have to get a job'

Published 24th Apr 2026, 06:55 BST The accused pleaded guilty to three charges of deception at Limerick District Court Judge Patricia Harney said: 'For a donation to the poor box, he’ll have to get a job' Sign up to our Limerick Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Limerick Live within your account.

A young man was admonished for not having a job when he appeared before her at Limerick District Court.

Robert Hickey, 23, with a home address at Star Court, John Carew Park, Limerick was approached by gardaí when he was observed “acting suspiciously" at O’Connell Street, Limerick city on September 3, 2025.

Prosecuting Sergeant Denis Waters said Mr Hickey was found carrying drugs worth €50, and that he made admissions to gardaí

Solicitor Sarah Ryan, representing the man, said in mitigation: “Mr Hickey has gone through a very long period of difficulty. He was homeless.”

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The solicitor stated her client is no longer using cannabis and that he has a job interview coming up.

“It isn’t very easy to go looking for a job when you have a conviction,” she said.

Judge Patrcia Harney encouraged Mr Hickey to go “handing out CVs”.

“It doesn’t seem to be a popular activity in court six,” she commented.

“Wandering around the streets with cannabis and being apprehended by gardaí can’t keep going on.”

Sgt Waters said Mr Hickey has one previous conviction relating to the theft of a bike.

Judge Harney acknowledged the offences are not on the serious end of the spectrum.

Sgt Waters agreed and suggested a poor box donation would satisfy the State.

The judge responded: “For a donation to the poor box, he’ll have to get a job. He can’t keep coming up.”

Judge Harney directed Mr Hickey to pay €150 as a donation to the court poor box.

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