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.