Pubdate: Wed, 06 Sep 2000
Source: Irish Examiner (Ireland)
Copyright: Examiner Publications Ltd, 2000
Contact:  http://www.examiner.ie/
Author: Ray Managh

MOTHER CAUGHT WITH POUNDS 1M OF DRUGS IS REFUSED BAIL

A 22 year old Dublin mother of two arrested at Dublin Airport after drugs worth up to pounds 1 million were found in her luggage has been refused bail in the High Court.

Mr Justice Aindreas O'Caoimh heard the drugs had been found on August 24 in three pairs of thick soled sandals in luggage belonging to Ms Bridget Boyne on her return from the West Indies.

Garda Tracy Howard said she believed that if Boyne, with addresses in Darndale and Finglas, was granted bail she would not turn up for her trial. She told Micheal P Higgins, counsel for the State, that Boyne was facing three charges in relation to exportation and possession of drugs and with possession with intent to supply. Garda Howard told the court she had received reliable information that Ms Boyne and the father of her two children had gathered together a large stash of money which they intended to use to abscond. She said that should the court consider granting bail she would ask for a substantial independent surety but would not be hopeful, even with such a surety in place, that Boyne would turn up for her trial.

Garda Howard told Michael Bowman, counsel for Ms Boyne, that she had been under surveillance by customs officials as she was coming through Dublin airport. While she believed Boyne culpable she would accept she had been used as a mule in the transportation of the drugs.

Mr Bowman, in a plea for bail, said Boyne’s fiance was of a previous criminal disposition and she had no previous criminal history and had never come to the attention of the gardai.

He said she had two young children aged two and three and through an unfortunate turn of events last year she had got into debt to the tune of pounds 6,500 and had become very vulnerable.

Mr Bowman said it appeared a man she was involved with had taken advantage of the situation and she had allowed herself to be used as a mule to bring drugs into the jurisdiction.

A woman of previously outstanding good character, she had handed in her passport and the court had not heard any evidence to substantiate the Garda’s claim about a stash of money. He felt she was deserving of bail.

Judge O'Caoimh said he believed there was sufficient evidence from Garda Howard to enable him to conclude that if committed to bail Ms Boyne would not stand trial.
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