The father of two, who had 139 previous convictions, admitted selling or supplying others with almost €5,000 worth of drugs from a vacant house near his own home in 2019.

Staff at Cloverhill observed a drone flying over the prison

He has numerous previous convictions outside of the jurisdiction, including embezzlement, theft, counterfeit currency and fraud, as well as the drug importation conviction.

Mr Justice John Jordan said the boy’s “extraordinary progress” in a matter of weeks is a “testament to what can be achieved” when children get a place in one of the State’s three “special care” units

Thomas O’Neill, (35), of Lenihan Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, admitted six counts under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

This comes after a car was stopped by the Galway Divisional Drugs Unit at Cappataggle, Co Galway, at around 11pm.

Gardaí then found 60kg of suspected diamorphine in blocks inside black bags, hidden in the tail of the aircraft.

The follows a search warrant carried out at a residential property in Finglas, Dublin 11.

The 10 suspected overdoses by people at Portlaoise Prison have been linked to a synthetic opioid known as nitazene

In a follow-up search on Thursday, suspected cocaine with an estimated value of €100,000, and €250,000 cash were seized.

Gardaí conducted a search of a house at approximately 11pm on Thursday evening, where 2kg of suspected heroin was found.

Magill and convicted Limerick drug dealer Vincent Collopy were arrested during a garda operation which resulted in the seizure of €1.4million worth of cocaine, heroin and tablets.

The judge noted that such a volume of drugs would not be given without a significant degree of trust.

Daniel O'Connell (42) of Cherry Orchard Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 pleaded guilty to possession of heroin for sale or supply on March 8th, 2022 at the same location.

He became agitated and abusive to people in the courtroom, before attempting to leave the dock.

James Maguire (59) pleaded guilty to possessing €597,188 worth of heroin, cocaine and tablets for sale or supply

The drugs were found during an operation in Smithfield on Saturday

\The seized drugs, totalling €236,600 will now be sent to Forensic Science Ireland.

A court heard one of them claimed he thought he was carrying "special material" for making microchips, and the other said he was forced.

The men, aged in their 40s and 60s, are due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Monday morning.

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin's comments come after at least 54 people in Dublin died following heroin overdoses earlier this month

A second sample of heroin associated with overdose clusters in Dublin has been found to include traces of nitazene

If drug users notice they are becoming unwell, they should look out for the signs of overdoes and seek medical help immediately

All of the suspected drugs will now be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis.