A KART DRIVER has been banned from competing for nine months after he was found to have taken cannabis in advance of a competition in March.

Cian Sheahan, 26, from County Cork tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis) following the Munster Kart Club Race meeting at Watergrasshill, Cork on 11 March.

Sheahan subsequently admitted the offence, which is contrary to Article 2.1 of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules. His hearing took place on 24 May.

“It is accepted that cannabis may not enhance performance,” a joint statement by Motorsport Ireland and the Irish Sports Council read this afternoon. “However the Panel took into consideration the concentration of the prohibited substance in deciding on the severity of the sanction.

In deciding the sanction the Panel also gave regard to the timely admission by the athlete of the offence which is both an acknowledgement of wrongdoing and avoids unnecessary delay and expense.

The nine-month ban commences from the date of Sheahan’s test.

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