Teenager jailed for dealing in ecstasy

A 16-year-old boy was yesterday jailed for six months and fined €300 after admitting to trying to sell ecstasy at a nightclub.

The boy was stopped by policemen as he was entering an entertainment spot and was found to be in possession of 27 ecstasy pills which he intended to sell for €10 each after having bought them for €5 each, the prosecution said.

He admitted to trafficking in ecstasy, possessing the drug which was not for his own use, possessing cannabis, committing a crime within 100 metres of a place frequented by young people and breaching the conditions of a previous release.

He also admitted to selling drugs at another nightclub on a different date.

Magistrate Lawrence Quintano noted article 37 of the criminal code which says punishment should be reduced by a degree or two when the accused is less than 18 years old but older than 14.