Ireland Drugs for sale or supply case adjourned for sentencing in Portlaoise
Gardaí searched 1 Bridge Street, Portlaoise under warrant on 4 January 2023 and found a bag containing €9,870 worth of cocaine and heroin, along with weighing scales, baggies and drug paraphernalia. James Heffernan, 30 (reports differ: 27), and Craig Dollard, 30, both men with an address at 1 Bridge Street, Portlaoise, were charged with possession of cocaine and heroin for sale or supply. Heffernan was further charged with possession of benzodiazepine and obstruction at Lyster Square, and possession of cocaine and obstruction at Portlaoise Garda Station on 23 December 2022. Both men were remanded in custody and the matter was adjourned to Portlaoise Circuit Court, where on 7 July 2026 the case was adjourned to 27 October for a probation report, psychological report and urine analysis ahead of sentencing.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court13 Jan
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí found a bag containing €9,870 worth of cocaine and heroin, along with weighing scales, baggies and drug paraphernalia, at the address.
- Where
- Both accused have an address at 1 Bridge Street, Portlaoise.
- When
- The alleged offence occurred on 4 January 2023.
- Investigation
- Gardaí searched the address under warrant and the defendant was interviewed on three occasions, mostly exercising his right to remain silent.
- Charges
- Craig Dollard, 30, and James Heffernan, 27 (reports differ: 30), were charged with possession of cocaine and heroin for sale or supply.
- Heffernan was further charged with possession of benzodiazepine and obstruction at Lyster Square, and possession of cocaine and obstruction at Portlaoise Garda Station on 23 December 2022.
- In court
- Both men were remanded in custody and appeared before Portlaoise District Court in January 2023 for DPP directions.
- The matter was adjourned to Portlaoise Circuit Court, where on 7 July 2026 it was adjourned to 27 October for a probation report, psychological report and urine analysis.
- Other details
- The defence said the offence was sale or supply, not the more serious offence of drugs valued over €13,000, and that there was a plea though not an early one.
- The man's mother wrote to the court saying drugs took over her son.
20 statements extracted from the articles
- whatTwo men were remanded in custody in relation to cocaine and heroin in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatGardaí found a bag containing €9,870 worth of drugs. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereBoth men have an address at 1 Bridge Street, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe man lived at 1 Bridge Street, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe charges relate to an incident at their address on 4 January 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe alleged offence was on January 4, 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí searched the defendant's address under warrant. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe defendant was interviewed on three occasions and mostly exercised his right to remain silent. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeCraig Dollard, 30, is charged with possession of cocaine and heroin for sale or supply. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeJames Heffernan, 27, is charged with possession of cocaine and heroin for sale or supply. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeHeffernan is further charged with possession of benzodiazepine and obstruction at Lyster Square in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeHeffernan is further charged with possession of cocaine and obstruction at Portlaoise Garda Station on 23 December 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with having drugs for sale or supply at his address. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtBoth men are due to appear before Portlaoise District Court on 26 January 2023 for DPP directions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe defence said the man made significant admissions after caution. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe defence said there was a plea, though it was not an early plea. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe matter was adjourned to Portlaoise Circuit Court on October 27 for finalisation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherWeighing scales, baggies and drug paraphernalia were also found at the property. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe defence said the offence was sale or supply, not the more serious offence of drugs valued over €13,000. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe man's mother wrote to the court saying drugs took over her son. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 7 Jul2026Laois mother tells judge ‘drugs took over’ her son
Court report on the sentencing hearing: a letter from the man's mother and a letter from the accused were read to the court, the defence said the offence was for sale or supply and not the more serious offence, and the case was adjourned to October 27 for a probation report, psychological report and urine analysis.
accused, James Heffernan, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Heffernan - 13 Jan2023Two men charged in relation to drugs in Portlaoise
Adds Craig Dollard as co-accused alongside Heffernan; confirms both men remanded in custody; notes Heffernan's additional charges from 23 December 2022 (benzodiazepine and obstruction at Lyster Square; cocaine and obstruction at Portlaoise Garda Station); next appearance set for 26 January 2023 for DPP directions.
suspect, Craig Dollard, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Craig Dollardsuspect, James Heffernan, 27, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Heffernan