Courts / Dublin / Report

Homeless couple avoid jail ahead of nuptials

Date
2019-10-11

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a homeless couple, Stacey O'Dwyer (34) and Ciaran O'Toole (35), avoided jail after pleading guilty to possessing €8,000 worth of heroin for sale or supply. The drugs were found in O'Dwyer's tracksuit after a checkpoint search on 27 April. O'Dwyer resisted arrest, kicking, screaming, lying on the ground and later biting a Garda, while O'Toole remained calm. Both pleaded guilty, O'Dwyer also to obstructing an officer. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a suspended three‑year sentence, noting O'Dwyer's mental health history, remorse and rehabilitation progress, and O'Toole's acceptance of responsibility. The pair, living in homeless accommodation, plan to marry in a civil ceremony in early November. The court considered their prior convictions and personal circumstances before deciding the suspended sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Homeless couple avoid jail ahead of nuptials. Charges or matters: possessing the drug for sale or supply and O'Dwyer also pleaded guilty to obstructing an officer in the course of his duty. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

April 27 Incident
2019-10-11 Publication

Case subjects

Ciaran O'Toole

Defendant

Charges: possessing the drug for sale or supply and O'Dwyer also pleaded guilty to obstructing an officer in the course of his duty (Alleged Or Contested)

Outcome: Handing down a suspended sentence of three years, Judge Martin Nolan noted that while O'Toole took responsibility for possessing the drugs upon his arrest, O'Dwyer behaved "disgracefully". "She made life a misery for all the investigating gardaí," the judge said.

Stacey O'Dwyer

Defendant

Charges: possessing the drug for sale or supply and O'Dwyer also pleaded guilty to obstructing an officer in the course of his duty (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty