Dolores McNamara's daughter and grandson escape drugs rap after poor box payout

Minor drugs charges against relatives of EuroMillions winner dismissed as pair bring €150 to court

Dolores McNamara in 2005 as she arrived to pick up her EuroMillions cheque. Picture: Picture Collins, Dublin

The daughter and grandson of EuroMillions winner, Dolores McNamara, have escaped a drugs conviction for the possession of €50 worth of cocaine and €50 worth of cannabis after agreeing to pay €150 to the court poor box.

At Ennis District Court today, Judge Mary Larkin dismissed the minor drugs case against Kevanne McNamara (37) for the €50 worth of cocaine possession at her home on October 23 last after Ms McNamara paid €150 to the Court Discretionary Fund (CDF) or poor box.

McNamara had pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of cocaine at her home at Ard Coillte, Ballina, Co Tipperary, on that date.

Dolores McNamara’s grandson, Luke (19) also escaped a drugs conviction after he pleaded guilty to the possession of €50 of cannabis on the same date at the same address after he paid €150 to the fund.

Kevanne McNamara’s family connection to Dolores, who won a then record €115m EuroMillions jackpot in August 2005, was not referred to in court.

Also, the taxpayer won’t have to fund her defence after her solicitor, Daragh Hassett told the court that it was not an appropriate case for legal aid and that the legal aid certificate could be cancelled.

Mr Hassett made a similar successful application concerning cancelling Luke McNamara’s legal aid certificate.

The mother and son sat side by side in the dock of the court to hear Sgt Aiden Lonergan outline the facts in the case.

Sgt Lonergan stated that the same set of facts apply to both cases where gardaí searched the McNamara house under a Misuse of Drugs warrant on October 23 last.

He said that “a small amount of cocaine and cannabis was found”.

Sgt Lonergan said that the two McNamaras co-operated with gardaí and made admissions on the matter.

Both admitted that the cocaine and cannabis found was for their own personal use. The two have no previous convictions.

Mr Hassett said that Kevanne McNamara is 37 and a lone parent.

He said: “She is not someone with any interaction with drugs socially or otherwise in the past

"Around this time, her father was dying and he subsequently passed away and this was a short period of use. Ms McNamara discontinued that use completely.” 

Mr Hassett said that Kevanne McNamara has enrolled in a beauty care course in Shannon and she hopes that will start shortly and qualify as a beauty therapist.

He said that Luke McNamara went to school locally at St Anne’s College in Killaloe and is waiting to commence a welding course which has been delayed by Covid-19.

Mr Hassett said that Luke McNamara had a "bad habit" with cannabis that has been discontinued.

Mr Hassett said in the Clare district first-time offenders found with small amounts of drugs are given the benefit of making one mistake by the court.

He said: “I have taken the liberty of not presuming anything but my two clients have brought €150 each to court to give to the Court Discretionary Fund.” 

Judge Larkin noted that two McNamaras are “both very young” and ordered both to each pay €150 to the fund.