This article is from page 10 of the 2006-01-31 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
A LIMERICK woman who was given a laser card in Limerick and told to go to Ennis and do “the best she could” with it, then used it in nine premises in Clare.
Ennis District Court was told that Kathleen Stickle (22), of Pineview Gardens, Moyross, Limerick, was a ‘very small link in the drugs chain’ and was being used by drug dealers.
Stickle, a mother-of-one, unlawfully obtained goods to the value of €865 in total, in the premises, which included two phone shops, two sports shops, a newsagents and two service stations, in Ennis and surrounding areas, on September 30, 2004. Six of the premises were in Ennis, and one each in Clarecastle, Shannon and Newmarket-on-Fergus.
The court heard that the owner of the laser card was reimbursed in full by the bank, but that no compensation was paid by the accused.
Detective Garda Brendan Rouine said it would appear as though the accused was being used by other persons and was given the card to use.
Defending solicitor Daragh Hassett said his client was addicted to cocaine at the time and
had fallen into “huge arrears” with a drug deal er in Limerick.
“Somebody obtained the card. She was given the card and was told to go to Ennis and do the best she could . . . The goods are given to a drug dealer and he sells them on,” said Mr Hassett.
He said the card was taken off her afterwards, in Limerick.
“This lady is petrified you would give her a custodial sentence. She says she has prospects. She is very much a small link in the drugs chain. She is paying a very high price for her wrong.
“She is being used by drug dealers. Once they have you within their grasp, it is hard to get out. I’d ask you to give her a chance. She will pay back the full amount,” said Mr Hassett.
Judge Joseph Mangan adjourned the case for two months, for a probation report to be carried out.