Sunday 1 November 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 smuggling drugs into Midlands Prison, Portlaoise

Megan Mooney, a 20-year-old woman from Edenderry, Co Offaly, was caught with zopiclone and cocaine at Midlands Prison, Portlaoise, on 17 February 2023. She was charged with two counts of placing a controlled drug inside a prison and possession of controlled drugs, and made full admissions after her arrest. She first appeared in Portlaoise District Court in March 2023, where the case was remanded for DPP directions. In December 2023, Judge Andrew Cody sentenced her to two months suspended for two years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court24 Mar
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced12 Dec
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Megan Mooney, a 20-year-old (reported as 21 in one account) woman from Edenderry, Co Offaly, was caught with zopiclone and cocaine at Midlands Prison, Portlaoise.
  • The Garda estimated the drug value at approximately €2,000, while a later court statement gave the combined value as €304.
When
The alleged offence occurred on 17 February 2023.
Where
The offence took place at Midlands Prison, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
Investigation
The woman was interviewed after her arrest and made full admissions.
Charges
She was charged with two counts of placing a controlled drug inside a prison and possession of controlled drugs at Midlands Prison.
In court
Megan Mooney appeared in Portlaoise District Court in March 2023, where Judge Andrew Cody granted legal aid and remanded the case for DPP directions.
Sentence
In December 2023, Judge Andrew Cody sentenced her to two months suspended for two years.
Other details
  • The woman had no previous convictions.
  • Her solicitor said her client had a friend serving a sentence in the prison at the time.
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatShe is 20 years old. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe charges related to benzodiazepine and cocaine. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatThe Garda estimated the value of the drugs to be in the region of €2,000. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whatA woman admitted attempting to smuggle drugs into the Midlands Prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatThe drugs had a combined value of €304. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereShe has an address at 144 Greenwood Park, Edenderry, Co Offaly. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe woman was caught with zopiclone and cocaine at the prison in Portlaoise. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe alleged offence occurred on 17 February. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offence took place on February 17 last. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationThe woman was interviewed after her arrest and made full admissions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeShe is accused of two counts of placing a controlled drug inside a prison. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeShe is accused of possession of controlled drugs at Midlands Prison. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtMegan Mooney appeared in court in Portlaoise accused of bringing drugs into Midlands Prison. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Andrew Cody granted legal aid to the accused. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was remanded back to Portlaoise District Court on 20 July for DPP directions. (offalyexpress.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, its 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
  2. 24 Mar2023
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Offaly woman accused of bringing drugs into the Midlands Prison

    Reports her first court appearance where she was remanded for DPP directions; Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby estimated the drug value at approximately €2,000; charges relate to benzodiazepine and cocaine.

    accused, Megan Mooney, 20, female, named, irish (judged from name)Megan Mooney