Hard for people with addiction to access GP in Offaly, court told

Man gets suspended sentence at Tullamore District Court after judge hears urine tests had not been provided

Published 24th Sep 2026, 21:00 BST Suspended sentence for drug possession | Tribune Pictures Man gets suspended sentence at Tullamore District Court after judge hears urine tests had not been provided PEOPLE with addiction difficulties are finding it hard to access GP services, a solicitor told Tullamore District Court.

“It's an ongoing problem in the Offaly area,” Aisling Maloney told Judge Andrew Cody.

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Ms Maloney was representing Aaran Kane (23), Esker Street, Esker Meadows, who had previously pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine at Esker Street on August 8, 2025.

'It's a disgrace': Huge frustration following water outage in Offaly town Mr Kane came before the District Court for sentencing and Ms Maloney said a probation report had been prepared.

Sergeant Brendan Kearns said that clear urine tests had previously been required by the court but Ms Maloney mentioned that Mr Kane did not have a GP.

The solicitor added that her client had been in the Cuan Mhuire addiction centre and now presented well and was working.

Judge Cody said the court had ordered the man to provide clear urine tests and noted that he had nine previous convictions.

He convicted Mr Kane of drug possession and imposed a one-month sentence, suspended for two years.