Attempted to bring fob phones into Portlaoise Prison

A man admitted trying to bring two mini fob phones and drugs into Portlaoise Prison. 

Rama Briody, 32, of Cranalagh More, Edgeworthstown, Longford admitted trying to bring a GT Star and Zanco fob phone and three grams of cannabis herb into Portlaoise Prison on September 22, 2021. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was caught with the items at 3.30pm on the date in question. He said the drugs were valued at €60 and the phones were intended for a prisoner. Sgt Kirby said the man had ten previous convictions but none for drugs or prohibited items. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client had made admissions to gardaí. 

“He outlined that he was under threat at the time,” she said. 

Sgt Kirby said if the man was under threat that would have led to a separate investigation. 

“He says there was a great deal of pressure brought to bear on him,” said Ms Fitzpatrick. 

“He wasn’t aware of what the content of the package was,” she said. 

She said her client had entered an early plea. He last worked in 2018 and had been studying electrical engineering but that ended when he was diagnosed with depression, she said. 

Judge Nicola Andrews referred the man to probation services and adjourned the case to June 10.