‘Highly qualified’ woman placed on 12-month probation bond
Portlaoise Courthouse
A ‘HIGHLY qualified lady’ was sentenced to 60 hours of community service for possessing drugs.
Portlaoise District Court had previously been told that the defendant had a level 8 degree in childcare.
The accused Amy Dempsey (31), Cullenwood, Mountmellick, who has no previous convictions, had pleaded guilty to possessing €430 worth of cannabis for her own use and for sale or supply at her address, along with €430 in cash, weighing scales and cling film on 4 November last year.
Judge Susan Fay had asked that an assessment be undertaken on Ms Demsey to determine her suitability for community service.
When the case resumed last week, the defendant’s solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client was willing to engage with the probation services and carry out community service.
She said that her client “who is a highly qualified lady” was very concerned that if a conviction was imposed it would affect her further employment prospects.
Judge Fay imposed 60 hours’ community service in lieu of a four-month custodial sentence and placed Ms Dempsey on a 12-month probationary bond with a condition that she engages with all support services Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.
