Addict caught carrying €4,400 of heroin internally

A heroin addict travelling by bus from Dublin to Cork drew the short straw in a group of six and carried €4,400 worth of the drug internally — but as well as being detected by gardaí she was later beaten by one of the six for losing the drugs.

Jacinta Collins, aged 40, of Cork Simon Community, was in a frail condition yesterday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court where she faced sentencing for having heroin for sale or supply.

Brendan Kelly, defence barrister, said Collins was late for court because she had to get methadone from her chemist as part of her treatment programme to get off heroin.

Garda Sheena Dowling testified that gardaí received confidential information on May 10, 2013, that drugs were being brought to Cork by someone on a bus from Dublin. Collins was arrested on her arrival and taken to the Bridewell Garda Station for the purpose of a drugs search. When asked, she admitted she had heroin concealed internally. She produced a package containing heroin. It was later examined by Garda drugs experts who put a street value of €4,400 on the diamorphine (heroin).

Mr Kelly said Collins was part of a group of six people coming down from Dublin on the bus.

“I think she drew the short straw on the night. She suffered the consequences. She got a bit of a beating from another person in the group for getting caught,” Mr Kelly said.

“She has a lifetime of alcohol problems and she is using heroin since 2010. I think it has just caught up with her.

“Her upbringing would have been difficult and perhaps is the genesis of her addiction issues.”

Judge Donagh McDonagh said: “I am looking at her. I could not deal with her today, it would be utterly unfair to do so.

“She is not a serious player. I accept she drew the short straw on the occasion. Those reports [on her background] are as dismal as reports can be. I don’t know if she is ever going to be able to deal with her problems.”

The judge adjourned sentencing until June 12, 2015 — the lengthy adjournment being to facilitate ongoing counselling through the Simon Community and continuing medical attention.