Go to festivals but don’t take drugs, Laois Judge advises

Go to festivals but don’t take drugs, a Judge told a defendant in Laois. 

Samantha Fitzpatrick (32) of 48 Kilnacourt Woods, Portarlington pleaded guilty to having cannabis and ecstasy at her address on July 5 last. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the woman had no previous convictions and would have been entitled to an adult caution had she not had two types of drug in her possession.  He said the cannabis was valued at €50 and the ecstasy was worth €20. 

Sgt Kirby told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the woman was cooperative with gardaí and had never come to attention before. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client suffers from anxiety. She explained why her client had ecstasy when searched. 

“She would have been at a festival approximately one week previously and forgot she had it in her bag,” Ms Fitzpatrick explained. 

Judge Susan Fay recalled when she was a teenager people had died from taking ecstasy. 

“Go to the festival but don’t take drugs,” she told the woman before warning that the consequences could be lifechanging.

Judge Fay said she would strike the matter out if the woman paid €200 to the court poor box on or before March 25, 2025. She said if the money wasn’t paid the default would be a conviction and fine of €300 for the ecstasy and the cannabis would be taken into account.