Courts / Dublin / Report

Woman died after taking drugs supplied by her boyfriend, court hears

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 26‑year‑old Ailbhe Smith died on 1 October 2020 after taking two lines of cocaine and MDMA pills supplied by her boyfriend, 28‑year‑old IT technician Glen Burke. A post‑mortem found a cerebral bleed caused by MDMA toxicity and cocaine use. Burke pleaded guilty to possession for sale or supply of MDMA and cocaine valued at less than €100. He admitted that after the drugs were taken, Smith began sweating, was made to drink water, then became convulsing and limp; he called 999. He claimed he loved Smith, had met her online six weeks earlier, and blamed himself for the tragedy. Judge Pauline Codd imposed a fully‑suspended two‑year sentence, noting the case as a warning about drug use and expressing condolences to Smith's family. The hearing highlighted the immediate impact of the drugs supplied by Burke on Smith's death.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman died after taking drugs supplied by her boyfriend, court hears. Charges or matters: possession for sale or supply of MDMA and cocaine valued at less than €100 at his home on the night of September 30, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• October 1, 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
• September 30, 2020 Incident
• September 30 Other
• 2022-12-15 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report