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01 Apr 2026
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01 Apr 2026
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A 60-year old woman is to sign guilty pleas in connection to charges arising from the seizure of cannabis with an estimated street value of €480,000 at Shannon airport in April.
At Ennis District Court, solicitor, John Casey for Maria Lucilia Martins of Lisbon, Portugal said that his client would be signing pleas of guilty for the case that is to go before Ennis Circuit Court for sentencing.
Mr Casey made his comment after two new fresh charges were brought against Ms Martins before court.
Ms Martins is to enter a signed plea of guilty to possession with intent to sell or supply cannabis with a street value of €13,000 or more contrary to Section 15(a) of the Drugs Misuse Act or more at Shannon Airport on Sunday, April 7th of this year.
Ms Martins is to also sign a plea of guilty concerning the other new charge of importation of cannabis at the same location on the same date.
Mr Casey said that Ms Martin’s will enter the signed pleas of guilty at court next week.
The sign pleas will remove the need for the State to prepare a Book of Evidence in the case.
Sgt John Burke told an earlier hearing in the case that the estimated value of the drugs is €480,000.
Ms Martins appeared in person in court for the new charges where she made no reply after charge.
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Ms Martins was already charged with possession of cannabis with intent for sale or supply at Shannon airport on Sunday, April 7th.
The drugs were recovered from luggage at Shannon airport on April 7th,
Ms Martins has remained in custody since her arrest and has appeared at a number of remand hearings via video link from Limerick’s women prison.
Solicitor for Ms Martins, John Casey has at a number of court hearings urged the State to expedite the case including the analysis of the alleged drugs which is now complete.
Mr Casey said that his client is a non-Irish national "and has no help and no assistance here".
Ms Martins required the services of a Portuguese interpreter for the brief hearing.
Judge Alec Gabbett remanded the accused in custody to re-appear before Ennis District Court on July 24th to formally make the signed pleas of guilt.
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