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. 20852Drugs offence (supplying benzodiazepine tablets to a prisoner) · Co. Laois · 16 Feb 2023

Woman sentenced for passing tablets to boyfriend at Portlaoise Courthouse

Stacey Kelly, 33, admitted supplying benzodiazepine tablets at Portlaoise Courthouse on 16 February 2023, when she passed a tobacco pouch containing tablets to her boyfriend, a prisoner being escorted from a cell at about 10.45am. A garda estimated the tablets were worth about €200. Portlaoise District Court imposed suspended sentences, including a three-month sentence suspended for two years and a further 12-month suspended sentence, as reported on 3 June 2023. The judge warned that she faces 15 months if she does not change her behaviour.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced2 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A woman admitted giving her boyfriend tablets hidden in a tobacco pouch.
Where
The offence took place at Portlaoise Courthouse.
When
The supply of tablets took place on 16 February 2023 at about 10.45am.
Other details
  • The boyfriend was a prisoner being escorted from a cell when the tablets were passed.
  • A garda estimated the value of the tablets at about €200.
  • The judge said he takes the supply of any contraband into prison very seriously.
  • A garda said the woman has 92 previous convictions.
  • The judge warned that she faces 15 months if she does not change her behaviour.
Investigation
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said she was arrested, processed and made full admissions.
Charges
Stacey Kelly admitted supplying benzodiazepine tablets.
In court
The case was heard at Portlaoise District Court and reported on 3 June 2023.
Sentence
  • The judge said he would reluctantly suspend a three-month sentence for two years.
  • The judge imposed a further 12-month suspended sentence for supplying drugs.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA woman admitted giving her boyfriend tablets in a tobacco pouch. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe offence took place at Portlaoise Courthouse. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe supply of tablets took place on 16 February 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationShe was arrested and processed and made full admissions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeStacey Kelly admitted supplying benzodiazepine tablets. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge said he would reluctantly suspend the three-month sentence for two years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a further 12-month suspended sentence for supplying drugs in the court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe offence occurred while a prisoner was being escorted from a cell at 10.45am. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe garda estimated the value of the tablets at about €200. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge said he takes the supply of any contraband into prison very seriously. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe garda said the woman has 92 previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge warned that she faces 15 months if she does not change her behaviour. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Jun2023
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Woman gave boyfriend pills in Portlaoise Courthouse

    Reports the Portlaoise District Court sentencing of Stacey Kelly, including the suspended sentences, her previous convictions and the judge's warning.

    convicted, Stacey Kelly, 33, female, named, irish (judged from name)Stacey Kelly