Ireland: Prison Addiction Counsellor Granted Bail Amidst

In a surprising turn of events, a 35-year-old Irish mother of two, Kate O’Mahony, who works as a prison addiction counsellor, has been granted bail after being charged in connection with a drug and crime proceeds seizure in Dublin. The charges against her include unlawful possession of drugs, possession for sale or supply, and a money laundering charge for having proceeds of crime. The accused, who has yet to enter a plea, was granted bail by Judge Bryan Smyth.

The Dublin District Court heard that the arrest unfolded when Ms O’Mahony was en route to prison. Gardaí intercepted her car on the North Circular Road and discovered cocaine. A subsequent search of her residence in Castleknock, Dublin 15, revealed additional drugs, including cannabis, benzodiazepines, alprazolam tablets, and over €7,000 in cash.

During the bail hearing, Garda Kylie Byrne expressed concerns over the severity of the case and the possibility that the accused might flee. Garda Byrne mentioned that Ms O’Mahony, employed as an addiction counsellor at Merchant Quay Ireland, an outreach and support service, also worked within Mountjoy Prison. The arresting officer asserted that the accused was near the prison when apprehended.

Prison addiction counsellor Kate O’Mahony. Photo Collins Courts

Two firearms, 300 rounds of ammunition & €47,000 cash were seized in Finglas following a search of nine addresses suspected of being used by organised crime groups (Image: Twitter/Gardainfo
According to Garda Byrne, the accused “made no reply” when charged, and objections to bail were raised due to the perceived seriousness of the offences.

In her defence, Ms O’Mahony’s solicitor, Donal Quigley, highlighted her deep roots in the Dublin 15 area, her familial responsibilities, and her unblemished record. Quigley argued that the alleged drug seizure, valued at around €2,000, was relatively low, and the case could be appropriately addressed at the District Court level.

The court was informed that the accused had surrendered her passport, had never been in legal trouble before, and held a stable job. Despite Garda Byrne’s objections, Judge Smyth granted bail, setting a bond of €1,000 and imposing conditions. These include signing on three times a week at her local Garda station, providing a reachable phone number, and refraining from applying for a duplicate passport.

The defence solicitor emphasized Ms O’Mahony’s significant ties to the State, minimizing flight risk, while the judge acknowledged the low value of the drugs seized. The case has been adjourned until July, pending substance analysis and directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.