Cannabis and cocaine found in Kilkenny premises by gardaí

Being in possession of a ‘Class A’ drug has resulted in a fine for one woman.

Amy Fennessy, Mill Street, Callan, pleaded guilty to two charges of being in illegal possession of drugs at Kilkenny District Court.

Garda Thomas Murphy told the court that on February 28, 2023, he executed a search warrant at a premises on Mill Street in Callan.

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Following two earlier domestic incidents when he observed drugs and drug paraphernalia, the garda said he discovered cannabis and cocaine.

Ms Fennessy and her boyfriend at the time were present. She ‘took ownership’ of the drugs and said they were for her personal use.

Solicitor Ed Hughes said his client was not the subject of the search, which the garda agreed with.
Mr Hughes asked if he was aware his client was in a ‘toxic’ relationship at the time of the search.
Garda Murphy said he had responded to domestic calls in the past.

Mr Hughes handed in a letter of apology written by Ms Fennessy.

He said the person gardaí attended the premises to search was her boyfriend, “a very abusive individual.”

Ms Fennessy is now out of that relationship, the solicitor said. She was under certain pressure from her partner at the time.

Mr Hughes handed a letter in to court from an addiction support service, outlining the steps Ms Fennessy has taken since this incident.

His client is not someone who will come back before the court, Mr Hughes said, appealing to the court to use its discretion in the case.

Judge Geraldine Carthy said if there had been only one charge she might have been persuaded, but there was also a charge of being in illegal possession of cocaine, which is a Class A drug.

On that charge Ms Fennessy was convicted and a fine of €300 imposed.
The charge of being in illegal possession of cannabis was taken into consideration.
Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.