Judge warns woman to join programme

A BRAY woman was warned if she wasn’t in Teen Challenge within four weeks she would be going to prison at last Tuesday’s sitting of Wicklow District Court.

Leona Hanlon (32), 4 Oldcourt Avenue, Bray, was charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of sale or supply and the unlawful possession of drugs at Main Street, Bray on October 13, 2010.

The court heard the case had been adjourned in the hope Hanlon would get residential treat- ment for her addiction.

Acting for her solicitor Brendan Moloney said she had been offered a place on December 6 but didn’t take it on medical advice as her ‘drug position wasn’t stable enough’.

Mr. Moloney said Hanlon is now ‘completely free of methadone’ but is battling with her addiction. He said there had been ‘ lapses’ with other drugs.

Judge David Kennedy said he had given her a final warning in June adding that at that time she was on 25mls of methadone.

He said he had adjourned the case to allow her get a bed in Teen Challenge.

Mr. Moloney said there has been ‘a marked improvement’ since then and said that on December 6 her doctor had told her that ‘ her chances of success (in rehab) were minimal’ because of her current condition.

Judge Kennedy adjourned the case for four weeks saying ‘if she is not in Teen Challenge she is going to prison’.