Cork woman was dealing drugs to pay for mother's wheelchair, court hears
The court heard the defendant had a very difficult upbringing and was dealing drugs in part to pay for an electric wheelchair for her mother. File photo
The district court has heard that one of the reasons a Cork woman was dealing drugs was to pay for a new wheelchair for her mother.
Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told Clonakilty District Court that Detective Andrew Manning executed a search warrant at the home of Rachel Rowley, aged 40, of Ard Carriag, Skibbereen, Co. Cork at 8pm on the evening of December 12, 2025.
The court heard that during the search cannabis herb valued at €6,600, cannabis resin valued at €1,000 and cannabis plants valued at €1,600 along with €4,320 in cash, deal bags and weighing scales were seized.
Rowley was charged with two counts of possession, two counts of possession for sale or supply and one count of money laundering. The court heard that Rowley made full admissions and had three previous convictions relating to the control of a dog.
Defence solicitor Éamonn Fleming said Rowley’s “social circumstances were appalling” at the time and she had been “preyed upon by certain people” though she “made the decision herself to do this”.
He said Rowley had a very difficult upbringing and was dealing drugs in part to pay for an electric wheelchair for her mother and also to help support the family of her deceased brother.
Judge Joanne Carroll said a probation report confirmed that Rowley had “a lot of difficulties in her life,” but “nonetheless she chose to engage in the sale of drugs for profit”.
The court heard that some of the money seized was from Rowley’s own savings and gardaí accepted that only €1,450 of the total was the proceeds of criminal activity.
On the first charge of possession for sale or supply Rowley was convicted and ordered to carry out 60 hours of community service in lieu of four months in prison. On the second sale or supply charge she was convicted and sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for 12 months.
For possession she was placed on a probation bond for 12 months on condition she attends all appointments, treatment and avails of training or employment.
The second possession charge was taken into consideration and for the money laundering charge the Probation Act was applied. An order was also made to refund Rowley €2,870 of the money seized.
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