Mr. Ben Ryan:

It is not exactly as cut and dried as that. It will depend on the nature of the other offences. If there are other low-level offences, it is possible that gardaí can use their discretion to allow someone to avail of the adult caution scheme. If they are more serious offences, however, that will be taken into consideration. The adult caution scheme is not aimed at people who are involved in more serious offences. Section 15 would be the main one in this regard. If someone is being charged with possession of a particular drug with intent to supply and may also have a small quantity of a different drug for personal possession, they would not be considered suitable under the public interest test around suitability for adult caution.