Mullingar mother alleged to have cannabis at airport after Lanzarote party

Tom Tuite

A Mullingar mother was stopped coming through Dublin Airport with €30,000 worth of cannabis resin after enjoying a birthday party in Lanzarote, it has been alleged.

Caroline Davey, 53, of Raithín, Mullingar, County Westmeath, appeared at Dublin District Court charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

She is accused of unlawful possession and importation of five kilogrammes of the drug and of having it for sale or supply.

Garda Thomas Burke told Judge Treasa Kelly the accused made no reply when charged, and he objected to her bail.

He alleged she was caught “red-handed” at just after 2am on Friday, July 19, at customs in Terminal 1.

He gave the value of the five kilos of cannabis resin and said it was “in vacuum packs in a suitcase”.

The garda agreed with defence solicitor, Kelly Breen, that her client, a mother of two, lived in the midlands. Ms Breen submitted that the accused had significant ties, a home, a long-term partner and family here.

Pleading for bail, she said Ms Davey also had health problems, for which she had a hospital appointment booked. Aside from that, the court heard she was on anti-anxiety medication.

The judge also noted that gardaí had seized her passport, and efforts were under way to contact her partner.

The court heard she had been in Lanzarote for a birthday party and had travelled over and back for a number of years.

Judge Kelly set her bail at €500 but required approval of a €2,000 independent before she could be freed on conditions: sign on three days a week at her local garda station, not apply for a new passport, provide a phone number and be available for contact 24 hours a day.

The accused, who has yet to enter a plea, was remanded in consent to these terms and will appear again on July 25.

Legal aid was granted after the court heard she was not working and had applied for social welfare.