2025-06-18
Heroin addict tells court he bought drugs in bulk to avoid having to steal
Stage: Sentence
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Gardaí had also said the defendant had been fully co-operative and now accepted that the drugs were likely for personal use. "That's still quite a lot," the judge remarked, before convicting him of simple possession. "But I accept your explanation and your willingness to engage with treatment." She imposed a three-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, on condition that Purfield attend a drug treatment programme in Deonach, Tallaght. The court heard that Purfield has 42 previous convictions, including three for drug-related offences. "You'll have to sign the bond and stay out of trouble," Judge McNamara warned. "If you don't attend, the gardaí can bring you back in and the sentence will be imposed."