By Sonya McLean
A woman who accepted a delivery of cannabis valued at just under €120,000 has been given a four-year suspended sentence.
Debbie Fowler (44) of Fortlawn Drive, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having cannabis for sale or supply at her home on July 16, 2021. She has no previous convictions.
Garda Anthony Quinn told Diana Stuart BL, prosecuting, that Fowler agreed to take receipt of a package after her co-accused organised for it to be delivered to Fowler’s home.
The package had been intercepted by customs and gardaí had organised for a controlled delivery of it. It was later found to contain just under six kilogrammes of cannabis valued at €118,770.
Fowler accepted she knew there was cannabis in the parcel and said she had been paid €200 to accept the delivery.
Gda Quinn accepted that Fowler was “an easy target” for her co-accused.
Gda Quinn agreed with Dominic McGinn SC, defending, that Fowler’s co-accused was in her home at the time the package was delivered so he could take control of it.
He further accepted that Fowler has difficulties with alcohol and was under the influence of alcohol when she agreed to accept the package.
Mr McGinn said Fowler had tried to refuse to get involved but that “was not an option for her”.
She is a single mother but was supported in court by her ex-partner with whom who she is co-parenting.
Imposing sentence, Judge Martin Nolan said Fowler’s level of culpability was low and that she was due to receive “little or no reward for extending help” to the co-accused.
He noted the defence’s submission that this case fell into the exceptional category which does not require the imposition of an immediate custodial sentence, due to Fowler’s caring responsibilities.
Judge Nolan said cases regularly come before the courts where an immediate custodial sentence must be applied, despite any hardship which may be caused to third parties, including children.
He said this case had “crept into that category” due to Fowler’s “perfect mitigation” and caring responsibilities.
He handed Fowler a four-year sentence, suspended on strict conditions.