A YOUNG mother has been given a ninemonth suspended sentence for handling money for a jailed drug dealer. Elaine Moore is the first person charged with the new offence of knowingly handling drugs money.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard she lodged money in her account for Alan Lynch, a major heroin supplier in Dolphin's Barn.
Garda Michael Monaghan had told the court previously that Moore was living with Lynch at the time and knew he was involved in drugs but did not know the extent. She had ended the relationship.
Moore (26), of Alder Park Court, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to handling £8,000 on November 21st, 1995, "knowing or believing such property in whole or in part indirectly represented Alan Lynch's proceeds from drug dealing" also admitted a second charge of allowing her house to be used for heroin distribution on November 17th, 1995.
Mr Peter Charleton SC, prosecuting, said the handling offence had come into force with the enactment of the Criminal Justice Act, 1994, and Moore was the first person charged under it.
Garda Monaghan said Moore was not involved in Lynch's drug business.
He agreed with Mr Eamonn Leahy BL, defending, that Moore came from a respectable family who were traumatised by this matter. Judge Joseph Mathews accepted Moore's only contact with crime was through her relationship with Lynch.
Lynch was jailed for eight years by Judge Mathews on May 29th and also forfeited a further £15,000 he had made from drug dealing. He had £7,393 cash as well as heroin worth £20,000 when arrested in the home he then shared with Moore.