Ireland Woman accused of drug possession in Portlaoise gets Probation Act order after no solicitor available
Theresa Conroy, a 40-year-old woman of 3 Mill Lane, Portlaoise, was accused of possession of drugs at Goldencroft, Station Road, Portlaoise, on August 10, 2025, and gardaí alleged the drugs were valued at €20. She appeared by video link from prison, where she was serving a sentence, at Portlaoise District Court, where no solicitor was available to represent her because solicitors were withdrawing services in a nationwide dispute over legal aid. She pleaded guilty, and the judge applied the Probation Act, citing her progress in prison, and ordered the drugs destroyed, as reported on July 15, 2026.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Theresa Conroy, a 40-year-old woman of 3 Mill Lane, Portlaoise, was accused of possession of drugs.
- Where
- The alleged possession took place at Goldencroft, Station Road, Portlaoise.
- When
- The alleged possession took place on August 10, 2025.
- Weapon
- No weapon is mentioned in the case.
- Charges
- Gardaí alleged that the drugs were valued at €20.
- Investigation
- Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told the court that the offence was alleged.
- In court
- No solicitor was available to represent the woman at Portlaoise District Court, and solicitor Brian Duffy said solicitors were not dealing with matters, custody or otherwise, at the moment.
- The woman appeared by video link from prison, where she was serving a sentence, before Judge Andrew Cody.
- The woman pleaded guilty.
- Cause
- The solicitor said there was a nationwide withdrawal of services by solicitors, which the article links to a dispute over legal aid.
- Sentence
- The judge applied the Probation Act, citing the woman's progress in prison.
- The judge ordered the drugs destroyed.
- Other details
- The garda sergeant said the woman's previous convictions were mostly for theft, and she had two previous convictions under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
- The report was published by the Leinster Express on July 15, 2026.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe alleged drug possession took place at Goldencroft, Station Road, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe alleged drug possession was on August 10, 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeThe woman was accused of possession of drugs. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeGardaí alleged the woman was in possession of drugs valued at €20. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtNo solicitor was available to provide legal representation to the woman. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe solicitor said solicitors were not dealing with matters at the moment. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe solicitor said there was a nationwide withdrawal of services by solicitors. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe woman pleaded guilty. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge applied the Probation Act, citing the woman's progress in prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge ordered the destruction of the drugs. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe woman was appearing via video link while serving a prison sentence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe garda sergeant said the woman's previous convictions were mostly for theft. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe woman had two previous convictions under the misuse of drugs act. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 15 Jul2026No solicitor was available to represent woman at Portlaoise District Court
Court report on the hearing at which no solicitor was available because solicitors were withdrawing services in a nationwide dispute over legal aid. The accused pleaded guilty, the judge applied the Probation Act and ordered the drugs destroyed. The accused was appearing by video link from prison, where she was serving a sentence.
accused, Theresa Conroy, 40, female, named, irish (judged from name)Theresa Conroy