A teenage girl who was given six months detention this week after attempting to hand over drugs to a person held in custody during court proceedings claimed that she only did so because of fear.
A distraught Natalie Holian (19 ) with an address at 27 Sliabh Rua, Ballybane, appeared at Galway District Court last Monday charged with possession of cannabis and cocaine and possession of the drugs with intent to sell or supply.
Garda Orla Keenan gave evidence that on February 12, 2008, she had received information that Holian had plans to pass the drugs to a prisoner who was due before the courts the following day. On February 13 the prisoner in question had been escorted to the holding cell when the defendant approached Garda Keenan and asked her where the prisoners were being held. Garda Keenan identified herself as a member of An Garda Siochana and informed Holian that she was to be searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act. A shaking and crying Holian admitted that she had a package in her bra and that the drugs were for a prisoner. The package which was wrapped in cling film was sent for analysis and it was confirmed that it was cocaine and cannabis herb.
Defence solicitor Olivia Traynor explained that her client, who was only 18 at the time of the offence had no previous convictions, had been approached the night before the court sitting and “certain things were said”. Ms Traynor added that Holian “felt under threat that she had to do it”.
“Did she make a complaint that she was under threat?” Asked Judge Mary Fahy who added that bringing drugs into court will not be tolerated and that she and the gardai will have to be informed of the nature of the threat and whom from.
The case was given a short adjournment to allow Ms Traynor time to speak to her client. However later that day the court heard how the defendant was not willing to divulge more information. Ms Traynor did explain that the person who wanted the drugs delivered had threatened the defendant’s brother, who had been in custody at the time, and her other siblings.
“She won’t talk to the gardai about it,” said Ms Traynor who added that Holian knows who made the threat as “he was at one time a friend of her brothers.”
Judge Fahy said that it was regretful to give Holian a total of six months detention but that it may help her change her mind and that the message had to go out there that young people cannot be used in this way. Leave to appeal was granted.
