Ireland Woman pleads guilty to possessing ecstasy and cannabis in Portarlington
Samantha Fitzpatrick (32), of 48 Kilnacourt Woods, Portarlington, County Laois, was alleged to have possessed cannabis and ecstasy at her address on 5 July 2024. She pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court, where Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said she had no previous convictions and was cooperative, and her solicitor said she suffers from anxiety and forgot she had ecstasy in her bag after a festival about a week earlier. The judge warned her not to take drugs at festivals and set a condition that €200 be paid to the court poor box by 25 March 2025 for the matter to be struck out. The latest reported position is that if the money is not paid, a conviction and a €300 fine would follow for the ecstasy, with the cannabis taken into account.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court13 Nov
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Samantha Fitzpatrick (32) pleaded guilty to having cannabis and ecstasy at her address.
- Where
- The offence took place at 48 Kilnacourt Woods, Portarlington, County Laois.
- When
- The offence took place on 5 July 2024.
- Charges
- Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to possession of ecstasy and cannabis.
- In court
- The plea was entered at Portlaoise District Court; the report is dated 17 November 2024 in the text and 13 November 2024 in the article metadata.
- Investigation
- Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told the court that the woman was cooperative with gardaí and had never previously come to attention.
- Other details
- Sergeant Kirby said the woman had no previous convictions and would have been entitled to an adult caution had she possessed only one type of drug.
- The cannabis was valued at €50 and the ecstasy at €20.
- Her solicitor said she suffers from anxiety and forgot she had the ecstasy in her bag after a festival about a week earlier.
- The judge warned the woman not to take drugs at festivals.
- This incident is separate from existing case 13398, which concerns a November 2023 search.
- Sentence
- The judge said the matter would be struck out if €200 was paid to the court poor box by 25 March 2025.
- If the money is not paid, the default would be a conviction and a €300 fine for the ecstasy, with the cannabis taken into account.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatFitzpatrick pleaded guilty to having cannabis and ecstasy at her address. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe woman lives at 48 Kilnacourt Woods, Portarlington. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe offence was on 5 July. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe plea was entered at Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said the matter would be struck out if €200 was paid to the court poor box by 25 March 2025. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceIf the money is not paid, the default would be a conviction and a €300 fine for the ecstasy, with the cannabis taken into account. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe woman had no previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe cannabis was valued at €50 and the ecstasy at €20. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherGardaí said the woman was cooperative and had never come to attention before. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe solicitor said her client suffers from anxiety. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe solicitor said the woman forgot she had the ecstasy in her bag after a festival about a week earlier. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe judge warned the woman not to take drugs at festivals. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 13 Nov2024Go to festivals but don’t take drugs, Laois Judge advises
Court report of a guilty plea. The case is struck out if €200 is paid by 25 March 2025; otherwise a conviction and €300 fine follow. This is a different incident from existing case 13398, which concerns a November 2023 search.
accused, Samantha Fitzpatrick, 32, female, named, irish (judged from name)Samantha Fitzpatrick