Killarney woman faces sentence on N-bomb charge

A YOUNG Killarney woman is due to be sentenced for drugs offences this week following a Garda investigation into the death of a young man who died after ingesting a drug known as N-bomb in Cork city last January.

Jessica O’Connor (20) of Rosebank House, Ballyhar, Killarney, pleaded guilty at Cork Circuit Criminal Court to conspiring with another to possess a synthetic drug of the 2C family called 251 NBOMe, colloquially known as N-bomb for the purpose of sale or supply, to another in Cork on January 18.

Ms O’Connor was charged by gardai following an investigation into the death of Alex Ryan (18) from Liscahane, Millstreet, Co Cork who died at Cork University Hospital on January 23 after becoming ill at the house party at St Patrick’s Terrace on Green Street in Greenmount, Cork city.

Earlier this year, Cork City Coroner’s Court heard that Mr Ryan – who had been on life support at Cork University Hospital since becoming violently ill at the house party – died as a result of consuming N-bomb at the house in Greenmount on January 19.

Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster told the inquest, which was adjourned until December 8, that Mr Ryan died from hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy due to cardiac arrest after ingesting a psychedelic drug.

Ms O’Connor was one of three people before Cork Circuit Criminal Court charged as a result of the same investigation with Ruairí Maher (22) of Ballycurrane, Thurles, Co Tipperary also pleading guilty to the same charge of conspiring with another to possess N bomb in Cork city on January 18.

A third accused, Harry Clifton (29) with an address at St Finbarr’s Place, Proby’s Quay, Cork, was originally charged with a total of nine counts but on Monday when he was arraigned on four counts, he pleaded guilty to all four of them.

Mr Clifton pleaded guilty to having a synthetic drug of the 2C family called 251 NBOMe, colloquially known as N-bomb for the purpose of sale or supply, to having MDM for sale or supply and to simple possession of two other drugs, namely cannabis and DMT at Proby’s Quay in Cork on January 19.

On Monday, prosecution barrister, Pearse Sreenan BL, confirmed to Judge Sean O Donnabhain at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that the case would be ready to go to sentencing on Wednesday. Defence counsel for the three accused also indicated that they would be ready for sentencing then.

Judge Ó Donnabháin remanded Mr Clifton and Ms O’Connor on continuing bail until Wednesday.

Mr Maher had previously been remanded on bail to Wednesday, having pleaded guilty at an earlier day to the sole charge against him.

ABOVE: Diarmuid and Bridie O’Sé, Maudie and Rita Dineen with John and Rosaria O’Leary