Ireland Laois man faces sentencing over drugs for sale or supply
James Heffernan (30) of 1 Bridge Street, Portlaoise, Co. Laois, was charged with having drugs for sale or supply at his address on January 4, 2023, when gardaí reportedly found a bag of drugs worth €9,870. Gardaí searched the address under warrant, and the defendant was interviewed on three occasions. The defence said the offence was sale or supply rather than the more serious offence of drugs valued over €13,000, and that a plea was entered but not an early one. At a sentencing hearing reported on July 7, 2026, letters from his mother and from the accused were read to Portlaoise Circuit Court, and the case was adjourned to October 27 for a probation report, psychological report and urine analysis, with no sentence yet imposed.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court7 Jul
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Gardaí found a bag containing €9,870 worth of drugs at the address.
- Where
- The defendant, James Heffernan, lived at 1 Bridge Street, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.
- When
- The alleged offence took place on January 4, 2023.
- Investigation
- Gardaí searched the defendant's address under warrant, and a shed at the back was searched first.
- Weighing scales, baggies and drug paraphernalia were also found at the property.
- The defendant was interviewed on three occasions and mostly exercised his right to remain silent, while the defence said he made significant admissions after caution.
- Charges
- He was charged with having drugs for sale or supply at his address.
- In court
- The defence said the offence was sale or supply, not the more serious offence of drugs valued over €13,000.
- The defence said there was a plea, though it was not an early plea.
- A letter from the man's mother said drugs took over her son, and a letter from the accused was also read to the court.
- The matter was adjourned to Portlaoise Circuit Court to October 27 for a probation report, psychological report and urine analysis, for finalisation.
- Sentence
- No sentence has been imposed; the case is awaiting the October 27 hearing.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí found a bag containing €9,870 worth of drugs. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe man lived at 1 Bridge Street, Portlaoise. (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)
- chargeHe was charged with having drugs for sale or supply at his address. (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