Heroin addict relapsed after child's death

A heroin addict who relapsed after his child’s cot death and turned dealer to feed his habit because he "didn’t want to go out robbing" has received a three year suspended sentence.

Christopher O'Reilly (aged 26) of Abbeyview, Monkstown pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of heroin valued at €1,200 for sale or supply at his home on March 8, 2006.

Judge Frank O’Donnell told O'Reilly he was "like all drug dealers - doing it for profit" and imposed a three year sentence which he suspended on strict conditions.

Garda Martina Cleary told Mr Ronan Kennedy BL, prosecuting, that gardaí searched O’Reilly’s home on foot of confidential information and found the drugs in the bedroom and living room of the house he shared with his girlfriend.

Gda Cleary said O’Reilly took sole responsibility for the drugs and told gardaí that he and his girlfriend had planned to use a quantity themselves and then sell the rest to feed their habits because "I didn’t want to go out robbing".