Portlaoise Court: Local woman had cannabis, cocaine and cash
Portlaoise Courthouse
A DEFENDANT who appeared in Portlaoise District Court said she did not accept that cash seized by gardaí during a search of her house was the proceeds of drug dealing.
Samantha Fitzpatrick, 48 Kilnacourt Woods, Portarlington pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and cannabis resin for her own use and to possession of the drugs for sale or supply at her address on 7 November 2023.
The court was told the total amount of drugs seized was €741, as well as €1,420 in cash.
Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client “doesn't accept the money was from the proceeds of drug dealing, but has no issue as to what the court directs (to do with it).”
Judge Susan Fay was informed that Ms Fitzpatrick has no previous convictions.
The solicitor said that the incident took place over a year ago and at the time her 32-year-old client was “in a particular bad place and has since completely extracted herself from the company she had been keeping”.
Judge Fay said she viewed drug offences as being serious, which has “serious social consequences”, and described the defendant’s efforts since then “as someone who has tried to better herself”.
Remanding Ms Fitzpatrick on continuing bail until 16 June, she asked that a probation report be prepared in the meantime, and instructed that the money seized by gardaí be given to the Merchant Quay Homeless and Drugs Services.
