Woman accused of hosting Athlone drugs party at which two-year-old took cocaine

An Athlone resident in her 50s has been charged with allowing a drugs party take place at her home during which a two-year-old child consumed cocaine.

Orla Scally (52) of Kilgarven, The Glebe, Fardrum, Athlone, appeared before Athlone District Court after being charged in connection with the alleged incident on dates between October 25 and October 28, 2025.

The defendant was charged, under section 19 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, with knowingly permitting the possession of controlled drugs on her property.

Judge John Brennan was told that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had consented to Ms Scally's case being dealt with by "summary disposal" in the district court, subject to the judge granting jurisdiction.

Detective Garda John Divilly said the State's evidence largely consisted of CCTV and mobile phone data, which, he said, showed that cocaine was being consumed at Ms Scally’s home during the dates in question.

Det Garda Divilly told the court that the criminal proceedings, however, primarily centred on how a two-year-old girl had taken a quantity of cocaine during the course of the party in the accused’s home.

The court was that told the child, who has no familial connection to Ms Scally, was brought to Portiuncula hospital in Ballinasloe and later transferred to Dublin’s Temple Street Hospital in a critical condition.

Det Garda Divilly said the toddler spent five days under medical assessment, but had since fully recovered from her ordeal.

Judge Brennan heard that, during the course of the Garda investigation, a urine sample taken from the little girl returned a positive reading for cocaine.

"Phones were seized and evidence was obtained showing that cocaine was being consumed and drugs were being stored at the home of Orla Scally," Det Garda Divilly told the court.

A follow-up search of Ms Scally’s home led to "a small amount" of cocaine being found on the 52-year-old’s bedside locker.

Detective Garda Divilly said two other individuals are to be sent forward to stand trial on more serious charges.

"There was CCTV at the house showing people present, and there are text messages confirming drug use was going on," the Detective Garda added.

Based on the outline of the State's evidence, Judge Brennan initially refused jurisdiction, meaning he felt the case was too serious to be handled at district court level.

However, he reversed that decision following an appeal by defence solicitor Patrick Carty who pointed out that his client was facing a single charge of allowing her home "to be used for the consumption of drugs".

Judge Brennan then said he would accept jurisdiction, and therefore the case will be concluded in the district court.

Mr Carty sought an adjournment to October, saying a "considerable" disclosure of evidence had already been provided to the defence by investigating Gardaí.

Ms Scally was then remanded on bail to a sitting of Athlone District Court on October 28.