A widower and father of 11 children was sent to jail yesterday for one year for cannabis dealing. Joseph Coddington (56) from Rathmullen Park in Drogheda admitted having €250 of cannabis resin found by gardaí when they searched his home on October 3rd, 2003. They also seized €1,900 in cash.
In Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court on January 11th, Judge Raymond Groarke heard that Coddington, who has a previous conviction for possession and supply of drugs, had been off cannabis but started smoking it again after his wife died in 2002.
The judge adjourned sentencing him until yesterday to give him time to arrange for the care of his two youngest children, two girls aged 15 and 13. Coddington said he was making around €240 a week selling the drug. He had been doing this since his wife's death.
Passing sentence Judge Groarke said it was a case of considerable hardship. But he could not ignore Coddington's previous conviction.
He jailed him for one year and directed that €800 of the cash seized at his house be given to his daughter who is caring for her sisters.