Courts / Dublin / Report
Jail for "vulnerable young mother" over €500k drugs bust
Summary
Sarah Clarke, a 25‑year‑old mother of one, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for possessing heroin and cocaine for sale or supply. The drugs, worth €553,000 in heroin and €34,600 in cocaine, were found in her apartment in Tallaght after a Garda search. Clarke admitted she was aware that drugs were stored there to pay a €5,000 debt, but claimed she did not know the contents or value. She pleaded guilty on 17 October last year and had no prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan accepted her early guilty plea, cooperation with Gardaí, personal circumstances and lack of previous convictions as mitigating factors. He suspended the final three years of the sentence on the condition that she keep the peace and be of good behaviour during incarceration and for three years after release.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for "vulnerable young mother" over €500k drugs bust. Charges or matters: possessing heroin and cocaine for sale or supply on October 17, last year. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 17 Incident
- 2019-10-16 Publication
Why: The mother-of-one knew drugs were being held in her apartment in order to pay off a drug debt, but was unaware of what was in the package or the value of the drugs involved, the court heard. Court evidence reported by CNI
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: possessing heroin and cocaine for sale or supply on October 17, last year (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Credit: Collins) By Isabel Hayes and Brion Hoban A "vulnerable" young mother whose apartment was used to store over half a million euro worth of heroin and cocaine has been jailed for three years. Judge Nolan sentenced Clarke to six years imprisonment, but suspended the final three years of the sentence on condition that she keep the peace and be of good behaviour during her incarceration and for three years post release.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- New Bancroft Place
Topics
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