Thursday 29 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. 9519Possession of drugs for sale or supply · Co. Laois · 10 Apr 2025

Woman pleads guilty to having drugs for sale at Portlaoise home

On April 10, 2025, gardaí from the local drugs unit searched a house at 31 Bianconi Way, Portlaoise, County Laois, and found drugs in a magnetic container stuck to a bedframe. The occupant, Andrea O'Neill, a 45-year-old woman, pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court to having drugs valued at €2,015 for sale or supply, as reported on May 19, 2026. Her solicitor said she and her family were under threat over a family member's drug debt. The matter was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on September 21, with a probation report, a community service suitability assessment and a referral to the Alternative Project ordered.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court19 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Andrea O'Neill, a 45-year-old woman, pleaded guilty to having drugs valued at €2,015 for sale or supply.
Where
  • The drugs were held at her address at 31 Bianconi Way, Portlaoise, County Laois.
  • Gardaí found drugs in a black magnetic cylinder stuck to a bedframe in the house.
When
The offence is dated April 10, 2025.
Investigation
Gardaí from the local drugs unit searched the property at 1.50pm on the date of the offence.
Other details
  • The container held a number of deals of drugs.
  • The woman has no previous convictions.
Cause
The solicitor said the woman and her family were under threat over a family member's drug debt, and that she was being held to pay the debt through the drugs.
In court
The matter was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on September 21.
Sentence
The judge ordered a probation report and a community service suitability assessment and referred the woman to the Alternative Project.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe woman pleaded guilty to having drugs valued at €2,015 for sale or supply. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe drugs were held at her address at 31 Bianconi Way, Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereGardaí found drugs in a magnetic container attached to a bedframe during a search of a house in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offence is dated April 10, 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeThe solicitor said the woman and her family were under threat over a family member's drug debt. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí from the local drugs unit searched the property at 1.50pm. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to Portlaoise District Court on September 21. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge ordered a probation report, a community service suitability assessment, and referred the woman to the Alternative Project. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe container was a black magnetic cylinder stuck to the bedframe, containing a number of deals of drugs. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe woman had no previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe solicitor said the woman was being held to pay a debt through the drugs. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 May2026
    In courtleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Woman who was ‘under threat’ held drugs at her Portlaoise address

    Reports the guilty plea, the drugs search, the solicitor's account of a drug debt, and the adjournment for reports to September 21.

    accused, Andrea O'Neill, 45, female, named, irish (judged from name)Andrea O'Neill