DRUG DEALERS who contaminate young people will not be tolerated, Judge Bernard Brennan told Claremorris court when he imposed a 12 month prison sentence and £300 fine on a woman convicted of possessing and supplying drugs.

He postponed the issuing of the warrant until March 1st and told the defendant, Sarah Higgins, 43 Barr na Haille, Claremorris, that he had no sympathy for drug dealing and no sympathy for her.

In associated cases, Michael Collins , 47 Ardroe, Claremorris was fined £50 for possession and Martin Collins, 5 Bridge House Flats, Claremorris was fined £300 for what the judge described as "sub-dealing".

Garda Peter Sarsfield outlined to the court on March 27 he received information that Sarah Higgins was selling drugs around Claremorris and was going to receive some cannabis. Two Gardai subsequently set up surveillance at the rear of her house. There were two men in the house with Higgins and his Garda colleagues informed him over the phone that they were cutting up what appeared to be a block of cannabis resin.

After getting a warrant Garda Sarsfield with a number of other Gardai approached the house and knocked on the door. They forced the door to gain admittance. Gardai at the rear of the house were in communication with them and they had told them people were discarding items at the rear of the house.

Higgins was beside the range in the kitchen and was concealing something behind her back. When asked to produce it she handed over a bag with 23 pieces of cannabis resin made up in packets of £20 "deals". One was a £60 deal.

Garda Sarsfield said there was almost £1,000 worth in total seized. It was his information Sarah Higgins was selling cannabis in the town and had sold it previously.

In a statement Martin Collins said himself and his brother called to Higgins' house on the date in question at 11p.m. He had known her from when she resided in the Bridge House flats and went to buy dope. He had bought dope six or seven times from her.

On the night the dope was on the work top in the kitchen and they wrapped scores in cling film. He cut some up for his friends and she gave him some for free for cutting it up. His brother Michael got one score and paid £20.

When they arrived there was two men and a woman in the kitchen. The men left after a few minutes and as he saw the woman leaving she put a manual weighing scales in her pocket.

In her statement Sarah Higgins said on March 26 she was in a pub where a few men asked if she could get cannabis and she received £300 from one. After contacting friends she met a contact in Athlone and handed over £350 and returned to Claremorris where she rang Martin Collins to come and collect the gear.

The Collins brothers came and started cutting up the cannabis. Martin had five deals and Michael had one.

She heard a knock and did not answer as she thought it was someone messing. Then she heard a bang and the Gardai came in. In the commotion she grabbed the bag of cannabis and put it behind her back. She then handed it over to the Gardai.

She said half the cannabis was for Martin Collins and his friends and she was going to keep the rest for herself. Higgins said she smoked cannabis on a regular basis to relax herself as it was not addictive.

The defendant added she was sorry for what she did and would try to get her life in order.

Higgins, the court heard, was a separated mother of three young children and originally came from England. She moved to Cork and lived for a while with new age travellers. She moved to Claremorris a year ago.

Mr. Myles Gilvarry, solicitor, representing the two Collins, said they pleaded guilty to the charges. Michael Collins was fined £50 for possessing cannabis for his own use. Martin Collins was fined £300 for what Judge Brennan described as "sub-dealing".

In her defence, Judge Bernard Brennan was told Higgins was anxious to leave the area and had been shunned in the town. She had done wrong but made a frank statement and pleaded guilty. The Judge was asked to be conscious of her circumstances, the fact she had three children, and to be lenient.

Judge Brennan said Higgins should have considered how many lives she could have destroyed in the course of her career. The only difficulty he had was the fact of her children. Who was going to look after them if she was sent away for twelve months.

The life she had led was anything but exemplary and to "contaminate" the youth of the area was something he would not tolerate. Sorrow was no good.

Everyday in the media one heard of the decimation being caused by drug dealers.

Judge Brennan said he would impose a £300 fine and a twelve month prison sentence, the warrant not to issue until March 1 next. If the fine was not paid the defendant would serve the term.

"I have no sympathy at all for drug dealing and I have none for you," he added.

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - December 1998