Deirdre Griffin mother of two pleaded guilty at Swords District Court to possession of cocaine with intent for sale or supply

Deirdre Griffin (19) was a front-seat passenger in a car stopped by gardai in Swords. The mother of two pleaded guilty at Swords District Court to possession of cocaine with intent for sale or supply at Kettle's Lane, Cloghran. Detective Garda Darragh O'Toole of the Garda National Drugs Unit said he stopped a vehicle on August 3, 2006, for the purpose of a drugs search. Griffin, of Thornchase, Rush, was taken to Swords Garda Station where a female garda carried out a search on her. She was discovered to have cocaine with a street value of €240 hidden in her bra.
Defence lawyer Brendan Foley said Griffin was going through a difficult time as was estranged from her father and she and her best friend had both lost their mothers.
The funeral of her friend's mother was coming up and the cocaine was for use by them. She has not taken drugs since the incident. Griffin, who has no previous convictions, left school in fifth year when she fell pregnant with her daughter. She has since had a second child and is now reconciled with her father.
Mr Foley said Griffin now hopes to finish her schooling. In light of her age, Judge Brian Joseph Sheridan applied the Probation Act but he warned Griffin not to come before the court again.