Courts / Dublin / Report
Woman told to hide €400k in heroin to pay off drug debt avoids jail
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Sharon Hickey, 45, pleaded guilty to possessing 2.9 kg of heroin for sale or supply outside the Lamplighter pub on 12 April 2022. The heroin, worth €417,480, was found in a green Aldi bag given to her by co‑accused Gregory Dunne, who also handed her €500 in cash. Hickey had been told to hide the drugs to reduce a debt from bills, credit cards and drugs, and was promised the cash in exchange. She admitted the offence, expressed regret and remorse, and has since become drug‑free, is fully employed and her risk of reoffending has fallen from moderate to low. Judge Elma Sheahan, after a year's adjournment, imposed a headline sentence of five years, but suspended a three‑year term in full for four years, citing her progress and rehabilitation. The case remains adjourned for finalisation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Woman told to hide €400k in heroin to pay off drug debt avoids jail. Charges or matters: possessing 2.9kg of heroin for sale or supply outside the Lamplighter pub in Dublin 8 on April 12, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 2023 Incident
- April 12, 2022 Incident
- October 2023 Incident
- 2025-01-13 Publication
Why: Photo: Collins) A woman who was told to find a hiding place for more than €417,000 of heroin in order to pay off her drug debt has been given a suspended sentence. CNI source report
Case subjects
Co Accused
Charges: possessing 2.9kg of heroin for sale or supply outside the Lamplighter pub in Dublin 8 on April 12, 2022 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Dunne was handed an eight-year sentence with the final year suspended on strict conditions by Judge Sheahan in October 2023.; Judge Sheahan adjourned the case of Hickey, who has one previous conviction for larceny dating back to the 1990s, for finalisation at a later date.
Defendant
Charges: possessing 2.9kg of heroin for sale or supply outside the Lamplighter pub in Dublin 8 on April 12, 2022 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Elma Sheahan imposed sentence today, having previously adjourned sentencing for a year on a probation bond after hearing evidence in the case.; Judge Elma Sheahan imposed sentence today, having previously adjourned sentencing for a year on a probation bond after hearing evidence in the case.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request