Woman facing cannabis charge ordered to avoid prisons

A judge has imposed a 1-kilometer exclusion zone around all Irish prisons on a woman facing charges for allegedly dealing cannabis at Dublin's Mountjoy Prison. Ann O'Rourke, 46, appeared before Dublin District Court and was remanded on bail.

The court heard that Ms. O'Rourke, residing in Dublin 7, made no reply when charged with possession of cannabis herb for sale or supply at the prison. She has not yet entered a plea, and the value of the alleged drug seizure was not disclosed. The prosecution initially objected to bail.

Ms. O'Rourke appeared unrepresented due to an ongoing industrial dispute where solicitors have withdrawn services from legal aid cases in the District Court. This protest is in response to proposed reforms by the Minister for Justice, which include a flat fee for District Court cases. However, the prosecution agreed to consent to bail with strict conditions.

Judge John Hughes ordered that the 1km restriction would apply unless a court-sanctioned application is made to allow her to visit someone in prison custody. Additional conditions include weekly signing on at her local garda station and providing a contact phone number. Ms. O'Rourke consented to these terms. The unemployed woman cited recent difficulties attending court due to a sick relative. She is scheduled to appear again on September 4.

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