'Heroin hit Celbridge' says woman going through a 'personal Hell'

A woman in her late thirties battling a heroin addiction told Naas Court that when she was young the drug 'hit Celbridge.'

Evidence was given how the woman, with 30 previous convictions, faced charges of theft at Debenhams.

The woman, who is soon to turn 37, outlined to Naas District Court how she is currently taking 80mg of methadone, in a bit to handle the addiction to heroin.

Defence Solicitor, told the court, how the accused, a qualified horse trainer, has lost three stone, in a bid to get back working.

When Judge Desmond Zaidan asked the accused for the reasons she started taking heroin, she said: "Heroin hit Celbridge at that time, I have no excuses."

Judge Zaidan said: "You are a sad character, this is the destructive nature of illicit drugs. You are going through a personal Hell, stealing to feed the habit, and the suppliers are spending as they please."

The accused said: "I need a year to get back to work, I plan on doing it before next summer."

Judge Zaidan ordered that the accused undertake the probation act taking into consideration that there was no violence used when shoplifting. She was fined €200.