Mother of five avoids jail for cannabis growing

A mother of five has avoided jail for turning her home into a cannabis grow house.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard Karen Oakes was forced into it last year by a criminal she owed money to.

The 31-year-old of Croftwood Park, Ballyfermot had kitted out two children's bedrooms with foil-lined tents, ventilation pipes and specialist lighting.

The crop of plants was worth around €12,000.

Ms Oakes received a four-year suspended sentence.