Kildare judge says drug dealers ‘are a million miles ahead of the law-makers’

A Naas District Court judge remarked that drug dealers 'are a million miles ahead of the law-makers'.

Judge Desmond Zaidan made the comments while presiding over a court case involving a defendant addicted to drugs on Thursday, January 11 last.

The defendant had appeared as part of a contested bail application, and was refused bail by the judge.

Speaking directly to the defendant, Judge Zaidan said: "If I had the power, I would send you to an in-house drug rehabilitation centre, but I'm afraid we haven't reached the stage in Ireland yet."

He also told the man: "Although I have refused you bail, I won't close the door on you... I don't close the door on anybody."

The judge ordered medical treatment for the man in prison.

Just as the case concluded, he then mentioned to gardaí and practitioners present in the court that he had read about drug dealers creating synthetic cannabis — "100 per cent plastic cannabis, can you believe that?" he said.

The judge added: "The drug dealers are a million miles ahead of the law-makers... I'm sorry, guys."

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Samaritans Ireland (116123 or jo@samaritans.org) or you can visit pieta.ie (24/7 Free Crisis Helpline: 1800 247 247 or Text HELP to 51444).

For further information related to seeking treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, please contact the HSE's confidential drugs and alcohol freephone helpline on 1800 459 459, from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm, or email helpline@hse.ie.

You can also visit: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/addiction/drugshivhelpline/.