'I'm no Pablo Escobar': Kildare woman jailed for €73,000 delivery of cannabis
This photo is for illustrative purposes only
A WOMAN was served a sentence of three and a half years but with the final 33 months suspended for getting over €73,000 of cannabis delivered to her home address.
Laura Fanning (28) of Terry’s Cottage, Bawn, Kildangan, Monasterevin, attended Naas Circuit Court had been convicted of the the possession of drugs for sale or supply on 6 May 2024 at her previous address in Monasterevin.
The drugs related to 3.6kg of cannabis to the value of €73,034 which had been ordered to an address in Monasterevin.
On 8 May, a controlled delivery was made to the property. On 30 May gardaí arrived to the address to make arrests, having to breach the door after no one answered.
Ms Fanning was found to be standing in the hallway, while another person was attempting to throw the box of drugs out the window.
Ms Fanning was then arrested and made full admissions, telling gardaí that she knew drugs were being delivered, but that she expected only 28 grams of cannabis (€560) to arrive to her door, not 3.6kg (€73,000).
She later told gardaí: “I’m no Pablo Escobar.”
The court heard how Ms Fanning has been smoking weed since she was 16, and usually would spend around €100 a week on it.
The 28 grams she expected was supposed to be split between her and her housemate – 14 grams each – which she claims was for personal use.
It was accepted in court that the woman was bartering weed on a casual basis between friends.
However, text messages from the accused’s phone revealed the she felt nervous about the delivery that was coming.
When gardaí queried her anxiety, she said: “Because weed was coming to my door.”
The woman, who has no previous convictions and had made an early guilty plea, was described as being a “gullible and naïve” person who was “set up by a friend who exploited her” by defending barrister, Paul Murray SC.
Ms Fannign attended court while clutching a teddy bear to her chest.
The court also heard how the woman has a 7-year-old child at home and the father was not currently involved.
It was noted that the accused has since attended treatment for her addiction, and a recent urine test came up negative for cannabis.
In the end, Judge Elva Duffy served a headline sentence of 3 years and 6 months with 33 months suspended – resulting in a 9 month custodial sentence to be served in prison.
“It’s as lenient as I can be,” concluded Judge Duffy.
