Woman guilty of selling heroin on Gorey’s Main St

A 29-YEAR-OLD Riverchapel woman who pleaded guilty to six drug related charges has been jailed.

Melissa O’Brien, of 26 Beachside Avenue, Riverchapel, came before Judge Cormac Quinn at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court where she pleaded guilty to the possession of heroin for sale or supple at Main St Gorey on April 18, 2019.

She also pleaded guilty to the possession of heroin for sale or supply on five other dates between April 19 and May 27 at various locations around Gorey.

Garda Gavin Treacy told the court that on the morning of April 18 this year he was on mobile duty with Garda Gordon investigating the the sale and supply of drugs when they identified the defendant as a possible target.

At approximately 10.40am they intercepted a transaction where the defendant was handing over a quantity of heroin to a man in exchange for cash.

Garda Treacy said that heroin valued at €70, €480 in cash and a mobile phone were seized. The phone contained messages that the defendant was in Gorey town for the purpose of selling drugs to individuals.

When arrested, the defendant made a full admission.

Garda Treacy also told the court that on April 19 he was again on mobile patrol with Garda Gordon when they observed the defendant hanging around Gorey’s Main Street. The observed a buyer approaching the defendant, at which time they apprehended O’Brien. When she was searched, gardai discovered 21 bags of heroin, valued at €1,800, concealed in her bra.

She was charged and taken to a special sitting of Gorey District Court on April 19 and subsequently released on bail.

Garda Treacy said that on May 27 last the defendant was on bail when they received information she was in breach of her bail conditions. On the day a number of individuals were in a certain area of the town awaiting delivery.

A surveillance operation was set up, following which a car containing the defendant was stopped. The defendant was brought back to Gorey Garda Station, where she was found to be in possession of four bags of heroin, valued at €280, and €685 in cash.

The defendant, said Garda Treacy, was using heroin at the time while she had also lost her mother. She had seven previous convictions.

Defence Counsel Peter Hughes. said the defendant fully co-operated with gardai and made full admissions. While she recognises the seriousness of the offences he asked the court to show as much leniency as possible. At present she is making genuine efforts to rehabilitate, he said.

Judge Quinn sentenced her to eight months on each of the first three charges, the sentences to run consecutively, with the remaining charges marked taken into consideration. He said he would backdarte the sentence to May 22 last.