Courts / Dublin / Report

Pregnant teen avoids jail over shopping bag full of drugs

Date
2021-06-25

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Smithfield

County
Dublin

Summary

A 19‑year‑old pregnant woman, Kirsty Cummins, was found with a Tesco bag containing about €70,000 worth of cocaine and €172,000 worth of heroin, totalling €242,830 in street value. She pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and heroin for sale or supply at Ballyfermot Road on 23 February 2020. Cummins had no prior convictions and had recently turned 18 at the time of the offence. Gardaí observed her entering a black Ford Focus in Smithfield, then leaving a hotel and entering St Michan's House flats before returning to the car with the bag. The car was intercepted in Ballyfermot, where a search revealed the drugs. Cummins was interviewed five times, largely invoking her right to silence, but admitted awareness of the drugs in the third interview. The judge, citing her age and lack of proprietary interest, imposed a four‑year sentence fully suspended on strict conditions, including 18 months of probation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Pregnant teen avoids jail over shopping bag full of drugs. Charges or matters: possession of cocaine and heroin for sale or supply at Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, on February 23, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

February 23, 2020 Incident
February 23 Other
2021-06-25 Publication

Why: Mr O'Higgins also underlined the defence's case that his client "volunteered" to travel in the car on the evening of the offence in another party's stead, after they were unable to do so because of their state of intoxication. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Kirsty Cummins

Accused

Charges: possession of cocaine and heroin for sale or supply at Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, on February 23, 2020 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: A co-accused of Cummins was jailed after a garda search at St Michan's House – conducted after the arrests made on February 23 – found over €300,000 worth of cocaine and heroin. Judge Nolan sentenced Cummins to four years imprisonment, but he suspended the sentence in its entirety on strict conditions including that she follow all directions of the Probation Service for 18 months.