A COUPLE who had €5 million worth of heroin in their home have had their sentence adjourned by Judge Katherine Delahunt at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
William Byrne (24), with an address at Colbertsfort, Belgard Road, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to possession of the drugs for sale or supply at their rented home on January 12th, 2007.
He had three previous convictions, including a 12-month suspended sentence for drug dealing.
His now ex-girlfriend, Melissa O’Shea (22), pleaded guilty to knowingly allowing the possession of the drugs in the house. She had no previous convictions and was not known to the Garda. The couple have two children.
Ms O’Shea has since finished the relationship.
Det Garda Michael Ormonde told Remy Farrell, prosecuting, that gardaí accepted that Ms O’Shea only knew about one kilo (2.2lbs) of heroin found in the sittingroom and was not aware of the remaining 24kg found in a sports bag and suitcase in the kitchen.
Mr Byrne took full responsibility for the drugs and told gardaí he had been storing them in his home for €500.
A co-accused, Thomas Kennedy (30), of Westbourne Park, Clondalkin, received a 10-year sentence last March after he pleaded guilty to the possession of heroin for sale or supply.
Judge Delahunt remanded Byrne in custody and adjourned sentencing to February next.
The judge remanded O’Shea on bail, ordered a probation report and adjourned the case to March.