Courts / Dublin / Report

Mum-of-three will serve sentence for smuggling heroin into Mountjoy

Summary

Kerrie Fitzpatrick, 41, of Loughnamona Park, Leixlip, Co Kildare, was sentenced to 16 months in prison for attempting to smuggle 63 grams of heroin, worth €9,575, into Mountjoy Prison on 14 January 2017. She pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and had a prior conviction for a similar offence at Portlaoise Prison. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, upheld the sentence after an appeal. Birmingham noted evidence that Fitzpatrick had been coerced and that her relationship with her former partner was violent and abusive, factors that may have influenced her decision to bring the drugs. He also remarked that the heroin was a "very significant quantity of hard drugs" likely intended for general supply within the prison, and that a custodial sentence was necessary given the seriousness of the offence. The appeal was dismissed by the panel of judges.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Mum-of-three will serve sentence for smuggling heroin into Mountjoy. Charges or matters: conveying a controlled drug into Mountjoy prison on January 14, 2017. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• January 14, 2017 Incident
• 2019-11-21 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report