Friday 30 October 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. 13937Possession and bringing drugs into prison · Co. Laois · 28 Jul 2023

Woman admits bringing drugs into Portlaoise Prison

On 28 July 2023, Sarah Jane Greene (30), of Temple Hill, Blackrock, Dublin, was caught at 3.15pm handing over two packages while visiting Portlaoise Prison in Laois. The packages contained cannabis worth €250 and benzodiazepine worth €600, a total of €850. She admitted the offence at Portlaoise District Court, and a court report was published on 21 April 2025. Judge Susan Fay ordered a probation report and adjourned the case to 14 July, which is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court18 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A woman admitted bringing drugs valued at €850 into Portlaoise Prison.
  • The packages contained cannabis and benzodiazepine.
  • One package contained €250 of cannabis and the other contained €600 of benzodiazepine.
Where
  • The offence took place at Portlaoise Prison in Laois.
  • The woman is Sarah Jane Greene (30) of 1 St Louise's Park, Temple Hill, Blackrock, Dublin.
When
The offence was committed on 28 July 2023.
Investigation
Garda Sergeant Colin O'Leary said the accused, a prison visitor, was caught handing over the packages at 3.15pm.
Charges
The woman admitted possessing and bringing the packages into Portlaoise Prison at Portlaoise District Court.
In court
Judge Susan Fay ordered a probation report and adjourned the case to 14 July.
Other details
  • The woman had four previous convictions, none of them drug related.
  • Her solicitor, Michael Byrne, said she was pressured by her ex-boyfriend to bring the drugs in.
  • Her solicitor said she suffers from anxiety and depression and is remorseful.
  • The court report was published on 21 April 2025.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman admitted to bringing drugs valued at €850 into Portlaoise Prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe packages contained cannabis and benzodiazepine. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThere were two packages, one with €250 of cannabis and one with €600 of benzodiazepine. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe woman is Sarah Jane Greene of Temple Hill, Blackrock, Dublin. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offence was committed on 28 July 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe accused was a prison visitor caught handing over the packages at 3.15pm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe woman admitted the offence at Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Susan Fay ordered a probation report and adjourned the case to 14 July. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe woman had four previous convictions, none drug related. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHer solicitor said she was put under pressure by her ex-boyfriend to bring the drugs in. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHer solicitor said she suffers from anxiety and depression and is remorseful. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Apr2025
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Woman took drugs into Portlaoise Prison

    Court report of a guilty admission. Adds the defendant's name, age and address, the value and split of the drugs, the garda evidence, mitigation, and the adjournment to 14 July for a probation report.

    accused, Sarah Jane Greene, 30, female, named, irish (judged from name)Sarah Jane Greene