Admitted having heroin at the Midlands Prison

A woman admitted trying to bring heroin valued at €3,920 into the Midlands Prison. 

Beata Prill, 31, of 86 Roseberry Hill, Newbridge, Kildare attempted to bring the drugs into the prison on August 13, 2022. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was observed handing a package to a person in the prison. He said the package contained heroin valued at €3,920. The woman has no prior convictions, he said. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client was originally from Poland, has been in Ireland for ten years and previously worked in a chocolate factory. 

“She was in a relationship with a prisoner who was struggling at the time,” he said. 

“There was a level of pressure exerted on her,” he said.

Mr Fitzgerald said a package was dropped to her house and she wasn’t aware of its contents. He said she knew it contained drugs but had no idea of the quantity or type.

He said the woman had entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity and had cooperated with gardai. He described his client as being “petrified” by the court proceedings. 

Judge Andrew Cody said he would take her early plea and lack of convictions into account. He described it as a “very serious offence” and said gave her a six month sentence which he suspended for three years.