Photo by John Mangan / Clare Echo

The partner of newly independent Clare TD, Violet Ann Wynne has pleaded guilty to drugs possession.

By Gordon Deegan

At Kilrush District Court sitting in Ennis, solicitor for John Montaine (39), Patrick Moylan entered a guilty plea on behalf of his client to the illegal possession of cannabis at the family home at Pella Rd, Kilrush on February 11th last year.

Mr Moylan said that Mr Montaine was unable to come from court as he currently has Covid-19.

Mr Montaine uses cannabis for medicinal purposes and no evidence was provided to the value of the drugs seized and the facts around the seizure will be heard in court in June.

Mr Moylan also entered a guilty plea on behalf of Mr Montaine to driving with no insurance while driving a 192 registered black Ford Grand C-Max at Decomede, Lissycasey, Co Clare on February 8th 2021.

Judge Larkin said that what was before the court โ€œis a serious matterโ€.

Mr Moylan told the court that Mr Montaine has 16 previous convictions with the bulk concerning road traffic matters.

Sgt Louis Moloney stated that two of the previous convictions concern driving with no insurance.

Mr Montaine has one previous drugs possession conviction where at Kilrush District Court in November 2018, he was fined โ‚ฌ100 after pleading guilty to possessing โ‚ฌ30 worth of cannabis herb on 10th of Augusts 2017 at his then home at Tullycrine Upper, Cooraclare in west Clare.

In court on that occasion, Mr Moylan explained that Mrย Montaineย has been epileptic seizure-free since routinely rubbing THC oil extracted from cannabis before he goes to bed each night.

Mr Moylan told the court that Mr Montaine has lost most of his teeth from epileptic seizures.

Mr Moylan further stated that using the THC oil from the cannabis is the only way that Mrย Montaineย can control his seizures.

Mr Moylan said that it was recommended to Mrย Montaineย that he turn to cannabis herb to control his epileptic seizures when all conventional medicine had failed.

Mr Moylan said: โ€œMrย Montaineย has tried all of the normal medications without success.โ€

Concerning the new offences, Judge Mary Larkin said: โ€œI am going to consider community service so I am going to refer Mr Montaine for a Probation Report as to suitability for community service.โ€

Mr Moylan said that his client was not a suitable case for legal aid.

He said: โ€œIt is not appropriate. Mr Montaine is not working but his partner is. Mr Montaine hasnโ€™t any financial wherewithal at all.โ€

Mr Montaineโ€™s guilty plea to drugs possession follows Deputy Wynne resigning from Sinn Fein in controversial circumstances last month.

The mother of six resigned from Sinn Fรฉin alleging โ€œpsychological warfareโ€ and said her recent pregnancy had been used as a โ€œfurther stick to beat me withโ€. Deputy Wynne is to continue as an independent TD for Clare.

Deputy Wynne spoke out about her partner, John Montaineโ€™s drug possession when his case first came before court last November.

Deputyย Wynneย said that come this month (March 2022) โ€œJohn will be six years seizure free and that comes from him taking medicinal cannabisโ€.

During a phone interview, Deputyย Wynneย said there are positive effects for Mrย Montaineย in using medicinal cannabis and it has improved his quality of life โ€œ100% – without a doubtโ€.

Deputyย Wynneย said that Mrย Montaineย โ€œis only left with a handful of teeth at this stageโ€ from his past seizures.

She stated: โ€œIt is a huge issue for John personally. That is something that has really affected his confidence. It has brought difficulties and issues for him and that is hard to watch for someone that you love.โ€

Judge Larkin has adjourned the case to June 15th for sentence.

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