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. 14151Possession of a controlled drug (cocaine) · Co. Donegal · 11 Jan 2024

Woman's case struck out after cocaine found in old handbag in St Johnston

A woman was caught with €100 of cocaine in an old handbag when Gardaí raided her home in St Johnston, Co Donegal, on 11 January 2024. She was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled drug, namely cocaine, and appeared at Letterkenny District Court before Judge Eiteain Cunningham. Her solicitor told the court the drug was old and the handbag had not been used for many years. The latest development, reported on 25 March 2025, is that the case was struck out and the judge ordered a €200 donation to a local charity.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A woman was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled drug, namely cocaine.
Where
The cocaine, worth €100, was found in an old handbag at her home in St Johnston, Co Donegal.
When
  • The offence is dated 11 January 2024.
  • The case was reported on 25 March 2025.
Investigation
Gardaí raided her home; the case summary says the raid was carried out by drugs unit officers.
Charges
  • The charge is under Section 3 and Section 27(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
  • The case summary cites the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 and 1984 for the charge; the article cites only the 1977 Act.
In court
  • She appeared at Letterkenny District Court before Judge Eiteain Cunningham.
  • The case was struck out in court.
Sentence
The judge ordered a €200 donation to a local charity.
Other details
Her solicitor said the cocaine was old, had changed colour, and was in a handbag she had not used for many years.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe woman was caught with €100 of cocaine in an old handbag at her home in St Johnston. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe offence is dated 11 January 2024. (donegallive.ie)
  • investigationOfficers from the drugs unit raided the woman's home. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe woman was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled drug, namely cocaine. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeThe charge is under sections of the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 and 1984. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe woman appeared at Letterkenny District Court before Judge Eiteain Cunningham. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtHer case was struck out in court. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge ordered a €200 donation to a local charity. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherHer solicitor said the cocaine was in an old handbag she had not used for some time. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 25 Mar2025
    Otherdonegallive.ie, first report
    St Johnston woman avoids conviction after €100 worth of cocaine found in old handbag

    First report of this case. It gives the charge, the court appearance, the solicitor's account of the drug, and the outcome: the case was struck out and a €200 charity donation was ordered.

    accused, female