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. 18901Attempted smuggling of drugs into prison · Co. Laois · 17 Feb 2023

Woman sentenced for attempting to smuggle drugs into Midlands Prison

Megan Mooney, 21, admitted attempting to smuggle drugs into the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise, Co Laois, on 17 February 2023. She was caught with zopiclone and cocaine with a combined value of €304. After her arrest she was interviewed and made full admissions, and she had no previous convictions. Judge Andrew Cody sentenced her to two months, suspended for two years, as reported on 12 December 2023.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced12 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Megan Mooney, 21, admitted attempting to smuggle drugs into the Midlands Prison.
  • The drugs found were zopiclone and cocaine, with a combined value of €304.
Where
The offence took place at the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise, Co Laois.
When
  • The offence took place on 17 February 2023.
  • The sentencing was reported on 12 December 2023.
Investigation
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said she was interviewed after her arrest and made full admissions.
Other details
  • She had no previous convictions.
  • Her solicitor, Josephine Fitzpatrick, said her client had a friend serving a sentence in the prison at the time.
  • Her solicitor said she understood the charges were extremely serious and had admitted the offence.
  • Her solicitor said the friend has since been released from prison.
Sentence
Judge Andrew Cody sentenced her to two months, suspended for two years.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman admitted attempting to smuggle drugs into the Midlands Prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe drugs had a combined value of €304. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe woman was caught with zopiclone and cocaine at the prison in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place on February 17 last. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe woman was interviewed after her arrest and made full admissions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Andrew Cody sentenced the woman to two months suspended for two years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe woman had no previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHer solicitor said her client had a friend serving a sentence in the prison at the time. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherHer solicitor said the woman understood the charges were extremely serious and had admitted the offence. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Dec2023
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Woman caught with drugs on prison visit in Portlaoise

    Reports the sentencing of the woman, who admitted the offence. The article gives the offence date as February 17 last, which is February 2023 given the article's publication date. The article states that the drugs had a combined value of €304 and that she had no previous convictions.

    convicted, Megan Mooney, 21, female, named, irish (judged from name)Megan Mooney