Two prison sentences imposed on Offaly woman for 'peddling' drugs

TWO concurrent six-month prison sentences were imposed on a woman who Judge Andrew Cody said had been “peddling” drugs.

Sinead Real (29), with an address on court documents at Church Street, Clara but who Tullamore District Court heard was now living in Dublin, admitted committing drugs offences on July 5 last year.

She had been accused of the unlawful possession of cocaine at the railway station in Clara and in addition, unlawful possession of diamorphine (heroin), and Alprazolam, for the purpose of selling or supplying those drugs to others, at Tullamore Garda Station.

Pleas of guilty on behalf of Ms Real had been entered at a previous sitting of the court and defending solicitor Aisling Maloney said the woman had relocated to live in Dublin and had been receiving bereavement counselling because she lost a baby.
She had also been working with the Community Alcohol and Drug Service and had asked that analysis of her urine be done but it had not happened because there may have been a breakdown in communication.

Judge Cody said sentencing had been put back in July for Ms Real to produce clear urines for July, August, September and October and “not one” had been produced.

Ms Maloney said her client was looking for another opportunity and it had been a very turbulent time for her.

Sergeant Brendan Kearns said Ms Real had a total of 13 previous convictions, including one for robbery.

A six-month suspended sentence had previously been imposed on her. Sergeant Kearns said some of the drugs were valued at €1,904.

Ms Maloney said her client wished to continue with her bereavement counselling and was also due to attend at Merchants Quay for drug addiction treatment.

Judge Cody said Ms Real had been convicted of having drugs for sale or supply and heroin and cocaine were scourge on society and had it wrecked.

He imposed the sentences but also fixed recognisances for an appeal.