A North Dublin suburban family were ostracised by neighbours because a mother and her daughter were drug-dealing. Annette Kelly also had marital problems when her lorry-driving husband came home from a continental job and heard about it.
Kelly (43), of Donaghmede Road, Donaghmede, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having almost 134g of amphetamine powder at her home when it was searched on August 27th, 1996.
Garda Seamus Boland told Ms Una Ni Raifeartaigh, prosecuting, that the amphetamine had a street value of up to £2,500. The drugs were recovered in several areas of the house.
Gardai also found £2,394 cash as well as a book with details of dealing which indicated about 10 people were involved.
Garda Boland, of the North City Divisional Drugs Unit, said i were satisfied the cash was the proceeds of drug supplying. Kelly was arrested and made a statement admitting her guilt. She had no prior convictions.
Kelly's daughter was convicted in the District Court of drug-dealing and got the Probation Act.
Garda Boland agreed with Mr Roger Sweetman, defending, people like Kelly could encounter social ostracism and hostility as a result of drug-dealing. He wasn't aware her children had been given a hard time at school, as suggested by counsel.
Mr Sweetman said his client's offence was a serious one, usually dealt with severely by the courts. She was engaged in it purely for commercial gain and not due to addiction.
Her "greed and irresponsibility" had caused marital difficulties because her husband was unaware of her drug-dealing. The family had been socially ostracised and her children had been given a hard time at school.
Judge Joseph Mathews said he would like Kelly to become involved in some project so she could gain an insight into the problems caused by drug dealing. He adjourned sentence to November 25th next and directed Kelly sign on weekly at Coolock Garda station.