Woman facing drug charges in Cork allegedly had heroin and tablets in her underwear

The court heard 'a bag of suspected Diamorphine was recovered from her bra.'

Gardaí arrested a woman on the Blackrock Road in Cork on the afternoon of Monday, October 21, and charged her dealing heroin and it was alleged that in a follow-up search she had packages of heroin and Alprazolam tablets in her underwear.

Detective Garda Joe Crowley objected to bail being granted on Tuesday to Sandra Byrne of Upper Convent Road, Blackrock, Cork. She was charged with resisting Detective Garda Sharon Sweeney during a search at the Bridewell garda station on October 21, possession of Diamorphine (heroin) and possession of this drug for sale or supply on the same occasion.

Detective Garda Joe Crowley said Ms Byrne, 40, was stopped at Blackrock Road at around 3.30pm on the date where it was alleged that she frustrated a drugs search.

“At the Bridewell garda station she was searched by Det. Garda Sharon Sweeney. A bag of suspected Diamorphine was recovered from her bra.

As the search continued, Sandra Byrne took two packages from her panties and attempted to swallow them.

“Sandra Byrne violently obstructed Det. Garda Sweeney who tried to prevent her from swallowing the packages,” Det. Garda Crowley said.

Assistance had to be called and Ms Byrne spat two packages on the ground, one containing seven individual wraps of suspected Diamorphine and 16 individual wraps of Diamorphine.

It was alleged that her mobile phone was seized and examined and that it contained evidence of drug-dealing with references to “grams, Qs and tabs” in the texts.

The suspected heroin had a value of €700 and she also had €1,700 in cash.

Regarding the cash, she said she had withdrawn €1,500 from a credit union to pay for a planned holiday.

Bail

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said the prosecution concern was that she would commit further offences if released on bail. She said she would not commit any offences and would turn up in court if granted bail.

Judge Mary Dorgan said it was a serious matter and that while there was a presumption of innocence and a presumption in favour of bail she was going to refuse bail and remand her in custody until October 29.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said directions would be sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions.