Mallow woman already on bail after cocaine was found in nappy caught dealing again

Woman who hid €8,000 worth of cocaine in nappy caught with drugs in her car and underwear

The woman handed over quantities of cannabis and cocaine to gardaí.

A Mallow woman already on bail in a case where she had concealed over €8,000 worth of cocaine in a baby’s nappy, was caught drug-dealing again with drugs found in her car and her underwear.

Fiona Twomey, aged 40, of Rathcoole, Mallow, Co Cork, was already serving 18 months for the previous crime when she came forward for this latest sentencing for the recent crime.

Being an offence committed on bail, she was at risk of having the new sentence made consecutive to the existing jail term. Defence barrister Paula McCarthy asked for the consecutive sentence to be suspended.

Judge Dermot Sheehan acceded to this defence application and imposed 18 months consecutive but suspended this period on her release from prison.

In effect she is now serving the 18 months imposed earlier this year for the cocaine in the nappy. The new sentence of 18 months will hang over her as a sentence suspended from when she is released from prison.

Detective Garda Shannon Ryan said the latest offence was detected at St John’s Well, Millstreet, County Cork, at 6.25pm on July 2, 2023.

Gardaí stopped and spoke to the occupants of a car driven by Fiona Twomey and noticed a strong smell of cannabis. They informed her that a drugs search was about to be undertaken and she handed over quantities of cannabis and cocaine. A follow-up search of her person by a female garda uncovered more cocaine in her underwear. The total value of all the drugs was €1,200.

Det Garda Ryan said that while the value of the drugs was not high, the case was before the circuit rather than district court in light of previous drug-dealing.

Ms McCarthy barrister said there were very favourable reports on how well the accused was using her time in prison to benefit herself and others.

Previous case

Detective Garda Ryan also gave evidence earlier this year in the other case where the accused was stopped driving in the Rathcoole area on February 2, 2023.

Approximately €500 worth of cannabis was found during an initial search. Asked if there were any more drugs in the car she replied that there were none. So a search was started and what appeared to be a used baby’s nappy was found in the boot of the car. This was opened by gardaí who found the package of cocaine concealed inside. It consisted of 117 grammes of cocaine with a street value of €8,246.

At this stage in the search the defendant reached into her underwear and handed over cash to the amount of €3,800.

She pleaded guilty to money-laundering in respect of that amount of seized cash. And she also admitted having cocaine for sale or supply, and having the smaller amount of cannabis for sale or supply also.

The judge was told that the 40-year-old had addiction issues and was addressing these, that she showed remorse and cooperated with the investigation.