The eldest son of celebrity chef Rachel Allen will spend Christmas in rehab as he waits his sentence for possessing €22,000 worth of drugs.
Joshua Allen, 19, will deal with his drug addiction while he awaits his fate.
He was jailed earlier this month at Cork Circuit Criminal Court after Judge Sean O’Donnabhain said his response to serious drug charges was “unimpressive.”
The same court heard yesterday that Allen, of Ballinmona, Shanagarry, Co Cork, was now anxious to secure a bed in a three month continuous residential treatment programme.
His lawyer Siobhan Lankford told the court her client will remain in the treatment facility right through Christmas and up to and possibly beyond his sentencing hearing depending on the outcome of the case.
Prosecuting council Donal McCarthy said they had no objection to the defendant entering rehab provided that he goes under the direction of the probation service and immediately takes up his place in the facility.
The treatment centre will inform the probation service if Mr Allen steps out of line whilst in residential care for his addiction issues.
Ms Lankford said that her client had no difficulty in complying with any and all directions of the court.
Judge O’Donnabhain remanded Allen on bail on his own bond of €100 until his sentencing hearing on February 28 next and directed he immediately enter the treatment facility.
He said that no determinations had been made about the outcome of the case and that there was “no guarantees in this courtroom.”
Allen left the courtroom accompanied by his father Isaac.
At a previous hearing Judge O’Donnabhain said that the probation report had shown that the defendant “had not matured in the manner” he would expect for a person facing serious charges.
“There is no point in minimising what has happened. He has knitted his own jumper. I will not let him do that.”
Earlier this year Allen pleaded guilty to two drugs charges at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Shanagarry, Co Cork on August 30, 2018.
He pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply when the market value exceeded €13,000 or more.
This charge was brought contrary to Section 15 (A) of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Mr Allen pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine on the same occasion. This is a Section 3 Offence of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
He also pleaded guilty to one other Section 3 charge at his home. The charge involves possession of cannabis on the 5th of September 2018 at Ballinamona, Shanagarry, Co Cork.
Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that Allen was arrested in September of last year after the controlled delivery of a parcel containing the cannabis to an address in East Cork.
Customs in Portlaoise Mail Centre had become suspicious of the parcel which had a US postmark.
Det Garda Michael O’Halloran told the court that the package was intercepted by customs in Portlaoise.
It was found to contain cannabis with a street value of €22,694. A controlled delivery was arranged addressed to Joshua Allen at Ballymaloe Cookery School.
The package was signed for and received by Mr Allen. Gardai observed him opening the package and intercepted same.
