Friday 30 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. 13398Possession of drugs for sale or supply · Co. Laois · 7 Nov 2023

Woman sentenced over cocaine, cannabis and pepper spray found in Portarlington

Samantha Fitzpatrick (32) pleaded guilty at Portlaoise District Court to possessing drugs for sale or supply, cash and pepper spray found in a search of her Portarlington home. Judge Susan Fay ordered 40 hours of community service in lieu of three months in prison and a 12-month probation bond.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced23 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSamantha Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine, cannabis, cash and pepper spray found during a search in Portarlington. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whatGardaí found €534 of cocaine and cannabis, valued at around €208. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe defendant lives at 48 Kilnacourt Woods, Portarlington. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe drugs, cash and pepper spray were at her address on November 7, 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGardaí searched the property under warrant on November 7, 2023. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeThe defendant made no reply when charged in relation to the pepper spray. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe DPP directed that the case could be heard in the district court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe defendant's solicitor said she was pleading guilty to the offence. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtThe judge had the benefit of a probation report. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceJudge Susan Fay ordered 40 hours of community service in lieu of three months in prison. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe defendant was ordered to engage with alcohol and drug awareness services and placed on a 12-month probation bond. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had no previous convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe pepper spray was a less potent type than gardaí would deploy. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Jun2025
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Woman had drugs and pepper spray in Portarlington

    Court report on a 2023 search and a guilty plea. Gives the drug values, the sentence in lieu of prison, the probation bond and the defendant's lack of previous convictions.

    convicted, Samantha Fitzpatrick, 32, female, named, irish (judged from name)Samantha Fitzpatrick