Longford woman found with drugs beside bed is fined
A Longford woman found with €300 worth of drugs in her bedroom has been fined €250 by Judge Bernadette Owens.
Deborah Kilduff, 5 Congress Terrace, St Michael's Road Longford pleaded guilty at last week’s sitting of Longford District Court to being found in possession of cannabis following a search at her home on January 22, 2021.
Inspector Declan McGlynn, for the State, said the cache of drugs were found on foot of a search warrant.
He said during the course of that search cannabis with an estimated value of €300 was found beside Ms Kilduff’s bed.
In defence, solicitor John Quinn said her client had suffered two relatively recent bereavements.
Mr Quinn, who handed in two medical reports to confirm she was currently taking medication for depression, said the incident took place when Ms Kilduff was at her lowest ebb.
“She had two bereavements in the family,” he said.
“Basically she took to taking cannabis for herself and she is satisfied it was or herself and has now weaned herself off it.
“She was using it (drugs) for support at that particular stage. She was going through a bad phase at the time.
“Fortunately with the assistance of her medical team she is now off it and is looking to stay that way.”
Asked by Judge Owens about Ms Kilduff’s financial circumstances, Mr Quinn said she was someone of predominantly modest means.
“She is a young widow now and has to bear that out,” he said.
Judge Owens ultimately convicted and fined Ms Kilduff €250 and ordered a destruction order for the drugs.