West Cork woman, 60, 'an unusual type of person' to appear before court on drugs charge

Defendant had been treated for cancer and suffered from mental health issues and used cannabis for pain relief, court told

Defendant pleaded guilty to possession of the drug for sale or supply.

A 60-year-old woman who was the the subject of a search warrant executed by the county drug squad has admitted possession of illegal drugs for sale or supply.

Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told Skibbereen District Court a warrant was obtained to search the home of Eilish Hayes at Newbridge Park, Skibbereen, Co Cork, on January 9, 2026, and the search was carried out at 7.30pm.

The court heard that while searching the property, Detective Garda Andrew Manning recovered cannabis valued at €50. Hayes admitted possession of the drugs and also admitted the charge of sale or supply, evidence of which was found on her mobile phone, the court was told.

The court heard Hayes was fully co-operative, made full admissions, and had no previous convictions. 

Flor Murphy, defending, said Hayes had lived in England for many years, where she had reared three children, and had returned to live in Skibbereen in recent years.

The court was told Hayes had been treated for cancer and also suffered from mental health issues and used cannabis for pain relief and as an aid to dealing with her issues. 

Mr Murphy said Hayes had a circle of three or four close friends for whom she would buy and supply cannabis.

Mr Murphy said Hayes was “an unusual type of person” to appear before the court on such a charge. He said she was intelligent and had never been in trouble with the law. He added that she was in receipt of a disability pension.

Judge Joanne Carroll said she would ask for a probation report to be completed. 

She told Hayes cannabis is illegal in Ireland so she would have to stop using it to self-medicate. 

She asked for two random drug tests to be carried out and remanded Hayes on continuing bail to appear again on September 22.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme