Using heroin is a ‘death sentence’
“THE USE of heroin over a long period of time is effectively a death sentence,” Judge David McHugh told a woman who was caught with over €700 worth of heroin for her own use.
Judge McHugh was speaking in Blanchards-town District Court to Bernie Feane.
Blanchardstown District Court
Feane, aged 47, with an address at Jameswell Court, Newbridge, Co Kildare, pleaded guilty to simple possession of heroin at Ronanstown Garda Station on J une 6, 2018.
Garda Laura Rudden told Judge McHugh that at 5.50pm on the above date, she had been on mobile patrol in the Fonthill Road area of Clondalkin.
She said she was in an area “known for drug-dealing” when she saw Feane and another individual. Garda Rudden said she got out of her patrol car and approached Feane. She said that when Feane saw her approaching the defendant threw away a package onto the ground.
Garda Rudden said the package contained three packets of heroin worth a total of €716.
She said Feane has six previous convictions, including two for simple possession of drugs.
Feane’s counsel said it was “a very sad case”. She said Feane is a long-term user of heroin and added that she travels up from Kildare to attend a clinic in Pearse Street.
In response to Feane’s counsel, Garda Rudden said the heroin was for Feane’s own personal use.
Convicting, Judge McHugh fined Feane €200.
