This article is from page 32 of the 2013-10-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 32 JPG
THE Health Services Executive (HSE) has been asked to provide a report on a mother of three caught in possession of almost € 5,500 worth of prescription drugs in Ennis earlier this year. Officers from the Clare Garda Divisional Drugs unit seized € 2,732 diazepam tablets when they raided the home of 33-year-old Kelly Corbett on January 1 (2013).
At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Ms Corbett, with an address at 71 Westbourne Court, Watery Road, Ennis, pleaded guilty to having the drugs for sale or supply.
Inspector Michael Gallagher told the court the tablets had an estimated value of € 5464.
Defence solicitor Daragh Hassett said his client co-operated fully with gardaí. He said Ms Corbett was struggling to raise three children when she was approached by someone with the offer of “making a quick euro”.
The court heard Ms Corbett took possession of a large consignment of benzodiazepine tablets and began selling them.
Gardaí began to suspect illegal activity when known drug users began calling to the house, the court heard.
Mr Hassett described it as an “amateurish operation” and said his client was “very embarrassed and very worried”.
He said, “There are people in this town who can access large consignments of drugs and prey on people like Ms Corbett to be their mules.”
Mr Hassett added it could also be questioned if the tablets would make close to € 5,500 on the open market.
Judge Patrick Durcan said he re- garded the crime as being at the upper end of District Court drugs offences. He adjourned the case for the preparation of a Probation report.
He ordered the Probation Services to liaise with the Health Services Executive on this case, explaining that it is incumbent on the Court to obtain advice from the HSE where a child protection issue may exist.
Judge Durcan said he also wanted to hear from the investigating Garda.
Ms Corbett was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Ennis District Court on November 27. A S H A N N O N man who kicked a neighbour’s child up the backside after he repeatedly banged on his door has had the charges against him struck out. Gerr y Walsh (54), with an address at Tradaree Cour t, Shannon was charged with assault following the incident in Shannon on May 2 (2013). He pleaded guilty to the charge at Ennis District cour t on Wednesday. Outlining details of the incident, Inspector Michael Gallagher described it as a “most unusual and sad case”. He said the child was banging on the door when Mr Walsh came out an gave him a “small slap which he’ll probably regret for the rest of his life.” The cour t heard Mr Walsh was upset because there was a young child tr ying to sleep in the house. Solicitor John Casey said his client had just put a child to bed when the knocking star ted on the door. He said Mr Walsh gave the injured par ty a “kick up the backside”. The cour t heard that the boy told his father who in turn went to the Garda station. Mr Casey said there were no independent witnesses to the incident. Judge Patrick Durcan said he was striking out the charge. He told Mr Walsh to be more careful in the future. Speaking in cour t, Mr Walsh said the incident developed from an “ongoing matter” in the area. A TRUCK driver who crashed a vintage car into a roundabout in Ennis has been told to pay a substantial contribution to charity. Judge Patrick Durcan said he was making the decision because he “did not want to make an order putting a man out of a job.” Brian Nestor (38) crashed a vintage Ford Escort into a Clare County Council sign at Beech Park roundabout on January 19 (2013). Mr Nestor, with an address at Beech Park, Ennis, was driving home when the accident occurred, Ennis District Court heard on Wednesday. Inspector Michael Gallagher told the court that Mr Nestor left the scene without reporting the incident to gardaí. The accused later told gardaí he was coming from a friend’s house where he drank a can of Heineken.
He was unhurt after the accident. A Garda inspection of the car found that it was not in good overall condition. Solicitor John Casey told the court that his client entered the roundabout driving at 40 miles per hour, when the car left him. He said the condition of the vintage Ford Escort was a probable contributor to the collision. Mr Nestor pleaded gulty to a reduced charge of careless driving and failing to report the accident. He has no previous convictions. Mr Casey said a conviction and driving ban would seriously hurt his client’s ability to work. Judge Patrick Durcan said Mr Nestor’s failure to remain at the scene “raised considerable concerns.” Adjourning the case to tomorrow, Judge Durcan said he expdected Mr Nestor to make a substantial contribution to the court poor box. A T EEN A GER who broke into a Sixmilebridge school has been warned he must comply fully with the directions of the Probation Ser vices or face jail. Mark Burke (19), with an address at Beechwood Grove , Sixmilebridge, stole laptops after breaking into St Finnachta’s National School on August 27. All of the items were recovered and at Ennis District Cour t on Wednesday, Mr Burke pleaded guilty to the offence. The accused was also the subject of a repor t from the Probation Ser vices, which was handed into Judge Patrick Durcan. Judge Durcan said the repor t was “not good”. Defence solicitor Stiofán Fitzpatrick said his client was put under pressure by his peers and had borne the brunt of this latest offence. “When he consumes drink and prescription drugs, all sense goes out the window”, he added. The cour t also heard that the death of his father had a major impact on Mr Burke . Mr Fitzpatrick said his client is at a “crossroads” in his life. Probation Officer Eoin Ryan told the cour t that the accused had carried out community ser vice but missed other appointments. Judge Durcan adjourned the case for a brief period. When the case was re-called, Mr Ryan told the cour t that Mr Burke was willing to engage fully with the Ser vices. “He is aware of the consequences if he doesn’t,” Mr Ryan added. Addressing Mr Burke, Judge Durcan said; “If there is any breach, this matter will be brought back to me and I will deal with it.” The case was adjourned to October 3.