Sunday 1 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 23543Drug supply (possession of drugs for sale or supply) · Co. Dublin

Dublin man avoids jail for supplying drugs that killed girlfriend

A Dublin man was sentenced for supplying drugs that killed his girlfriend, with the case described as a 'textbook definition' of tragedy. He avoided a custodial sentence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced15 Dec
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThey continued drinking until around 2am, with Ms Smith drinking half a bottle of whiskey. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBurke said he got the Green Monster pills for her and she had never tried them before. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThey each had two lines of cocaine. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatBurke rang 999 and the ambulance arrived ten minutes later. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA Dublin man was convicted of supplying drugs that killed his girlfriend. (extra.ie)
  • whenAilbhe Smith died in hospital on 1 October 2020. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe post-mortem determined she died of a cerebral bleed caused by MDMA toxicity and cocaine use. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeGlen Burke pleaded guilty to possession for sale or supply of MDMA and cocaine valued at less than €100. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Pauline Codd set a headline sentence of four years on each count. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Codd imposed a fully suspended sentence of two years. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe man avoided a custodial (jail) sentence. (extra.ie)
  • otherBurke had met Ms Smith online six weeks previously. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThere was no element of coercion and both parties voluntarily decided to take the drugs. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMichael Smith, Ailbhe's father, gave a victim impact statement describing her as brave, fun-loving and strong. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherDefence counsel Oisín Clarke BL described Burke as an intelligent, well-liked and respected man who was also a rescue diver with CPR qualifications. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe case was described as a 'textbook definition' of tragedy. (extra.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 16 Dec2022
    Sentencedextra.ie, its first report
    Dublin Man Avoids Jail For Supplying Drugs Which Killed Girlfriend In 'Textbook Definition' Of Tragedy

    Article body is largely website template code; substantive details are limited to the headline. The man was convicted of supplying drugs that caused his girlfriend's death and received a non-custodial sentence.

    convicted, male, irish (judged from name)victim, female
  2. 15 Dec2022
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Boyfriend of ‘brave, fun-loving’ Wicklow woman gets suspended term for supplying drugs that killed her

    Sentencing hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court; Judge Pauline Codd set a headline of four years on each count and imposed a fully suspended two-year sentence, crediting Burke's guilty plea, remorse, good record and testimonials.

    victim, Ailbhe Smith, 26, female, irish (judged from name)Ailbhe Smithconvicted, Glen Burke, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Glen Burke