Judge praises mother of heroin addict who saves daughter from prison

A YOUNG heroin addict who claimed she might lose her arms if she did not get treatment for her addiction has been granted bail by Dublin District Court to enable her take part in a detoxification programme.

Rachel Keogh, aged 26, of Mercer Street, Dublin 2, was yesterday allowed to reside with her mother, while she undergoes daily methadone treatment at a nearby clinic.

Last Thursday, Dublin District Court had refused to allow her to live with her mother and remanded her in custody to Mountjoy Prison, despite pleas that she feared for her health in a location where drugs were constantly present.

A few days earlier, Keogh had escaped from custody by walking out of Pearse Street garda station but later contacted gardaí to notify them of her location.

Yesterday, the court heard that Keogh, who is facing a number of shoplifting charges, has been trying to get onto a residential drug treatment programme at the Cuan Dara centre in Cherry Orchard hospital in Dublin.

Sgt Patricia Gill told the court Keogh was arrested on December 4, 2004, for stealing €653 worth of leisurewear from Louis Copeland’s tailor shop on Capel Street.

Keogh is also charged with stealing €434 worth of cosmetics from Dunnes Stores in St Stephen’s Green shopping centre on July 15, 2005. She has pleaded guilty to both offences.

Her solicitor, Fiona Brennan, explained Keogh would have to wait for up to three months before securing a place at Cuan Dara due to waiting lists.

However, she added that Dr Brion Sweeney of the Drug Treatment Centre at Trinity Court in Dublin will put her client on a daily methadone treatment programme, while awaiting a place on the six-week residential course.

Judge Cormac Dunne granted Keogh bail on her own bond of €500 on condition she reside with her mother and observed a curfew from 10pm to 8am.

He ordered the accused to attend daily at the treatment centre at Cuan Dara when a place becomes available.

“It is a great opportunity to get yourself back to normality,” said Judge Dunne. “You’re a very lucky lady to have the day-to-day support of such a caring mother.”

Keogh was remanded on bail to appear before the same court on October 9 next.

Outside the court, Lynda Keogh, Rachel’s mother, said she was very happy that her daughter had been placed back in her care.

“I will have to keep my eye on her every minute of the day,” said Ms Keogh.