Drug mule made deliveries to pay for her own habit

A drug mule who delivered cocaine to feed her own habit has been given a suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Louise Rafferty (aged 38), of Acorn Road, Dundrum pleaded guilty to possession of €1,257 worth of cocaine for sale or supply in July 2006.

Garda Derek Roche told prosecuting counsel, Ms Christina Geraghty BL, he arrested Rafferty in her car following a surveillance operation. A search of her car and home revealed 17.9 grams of cocaine as well as weighing scales and other drug paraphernalia.

Gda Roche said the only payment Rafferty got for delivering the drugs was a small amount of cocaine to feed her own habit. She said in interview she was in fear of the drug dealers and refused to name them.

Taking into account her previously clean criminal record and her 13-year-old son, Judge Tony Hunt accepted Rafferty was a minor player and suspended a two-year sentence in full on strict conditions.