Saturday 31 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. 18350Possession of drugs in prison · Co. Laois · 12 Jan 2024

Woman fined for bringing cannabis into Midlands Prison

Kathleen Reilly, a 72-year-old woman from Killeens, Ballynanty, Thurles, Tipperary, was caught with €140 of cannabis at the Midlands Prison in Laois, where she admitted bringing it in on 12 January 2024. Her solicitor said she was prevailed upon outside the prison to bring the drugs in, and Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said she made full admissions. She appeared before Portlaoise District Court, where the judge fined her €100. The latest development is that fine, reported on 9 February 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced9 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Kathleen Reilly, 72, admitted bringing cannabis into the Midlands Prison.
Where
  • The offence took place at the Midlands Prison in Laois.
  • Kathleen Reilly is of Killeens, Ballynanty, Thurles, Tipperary.
When
The cannabis was brought into the prison on 12 January 2024.
Investigation
  • She was caught with €140 of cannabis at the prison.
  • Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said she made full admissions and gave no problems.
Cause
Her solicitor, Josephine Fitzpatrick, said she was prevailed upon outside the prison to bring the drugs in.
Charges
The offence is recorded as possession of drugs in prison.
In court
  • She appeared before Portlaoise District Court.
  • She had no previous convictions.
  • The judge described the amount of cannabis as modest.
  • The sentencing was reported on 9 February 2024.
Sentence
The judge fined her €100.
Other details
  • Her solicitor said her son was serving a lengthy sentence and that the drugs were not for him.
  • She is described as an old age pensioner and mother of 26 children.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatKathleen Reilly admitted bringing cannabis into the Midlands Prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe offence took place at the Midlands Prison in Laois. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe cannabis was brought into the prison on 12 January 2024. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationShe was caught with €140 of cannabis at the prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtShe appeared before Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtHer solicitor said she was prevailed upon outside the prison to bring the drugs in. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtShe had no previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge described the amount of cannabis as modest. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge fined her €100. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherShe made full admissions to gardaí. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe solicitor said the drugs were not for her son. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Feb2024
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Mother of 26 children brought drugs into the Midlands Prison in Laois

    Court report on the sentencing. The existing Kathleen Reilly case (id 4475) concerns a different person, aged 28, of Athlone, so it is not matched.

    convicted, Kathleen Reilly, 72, female, named, irish (judged from name)Kathleen Reilly