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"It's nice to be a hero for a day", judge remarks as he spares "unlucky" drugs mule from jail
Summary
Josephine Hoey, 38, of Banbridge, was given a four‑year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to possessing heroin worth over €37,000. The court found she had transported the drugs from Dublin to the North to pay off a debt of about £1,800 for her own addiction. Judge Martin Nolan described her as "unlucky" and noted the pressure she faced, including threats against her 15‑year‑old son. Defence counsel Pieter Le Vert highlighted Hoey's long‑standing vulnerability and mental‑health struggles, arguing she was not fully culpable. Gardaí had stopped two cars on the night in question, found tinfoil and a package of 260 g of heroin in Hoey's handbag, and seized a further quantity on her person. Hoey thanked the judge and pledged to work on her mental health and avoid drugs again.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "It's nice to be a hero for a day", judge remarks as he spares "unlucky" drugs mule from jail. Charges or matters: possessing the drugs for sale or supply at Clonshaugh Woods apartment complex on September 19 last. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 19 Incident
- 2018-05-03 Publication
Why: Hoey told gardaí that her role was as "drugs mule" to bring drugs back to the North in order to clear her own debt of about £1,800 for her heroin addiction. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possessing the drugs for sale or supply at Clonshaugh Woods apartment complex on September 19 last (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Josephine Hoey (38) of Banbridge, Co Down, was given a four-year suspended sentence after she was found in possession of heroin worth over €37,000. Passing sentence today, Judge Martin Nolan said Hoey had been transporting drugs from Dublin to the North in a bid to pay off a debt for her own long-standing drug addiction.
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