Athlone woman charged after two-year-old girl took cocaine at home party

An Athlone woman in her 50s has been charged with permitting drug use at her home after a toddler consumed cocaine and was hospitalised in critical condition.

Toddler hospitalised after cocaine consumed at Athlone house party, woman charged

Google News IE — Crime (en) reports that an Athlone woman has been charged with knowingly permitting the possession of controlled drugs at her home, following an incident in which a two-year-old girl consumed cocaine at a party on her property.

Orla Scally (52), of Kilgarven, The Glebe, Fardrum, Athlone, appeared before Athlone District Court in connection with the alleged incident, which is said to have occurred between 25 and 28 October 2025. She was charged under section 19 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Detective Garda John Divilly told the court that the State's evidence consists largely of CCTV footage and mobile phone data, both of which show cocaine was being consumed at Ms Scally's home during the dates in question. The criminal proceedings, he said, centre primarily on how a two-year-old girl came to ingest a quantity of cocaine during the course of the party.

The child, who has no family connection to Ms Scally, was brought to Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe and later transferred to Temple Street Hospital in Dublin in a critical condition. She spent five days under medical assessment before making a full recovery. A urine sample taken from the girl returned a positive result for cocaine.

"Phones were seized and evidence was obtained showing that cocaine was being consumed and drugs were being stored at the home of Orla Scally," Det Garda Divilly told the court. A subsequent search of the property uncovered a small amount of cocaine on Ms Scally's bedside locker. CCTV at the house showed people present, and text messages confirmed drug use was taking place, he added.

Det Garda Divilly also indicated that two other individuals are to be sent forward for trial on more serious charges.

Judge John Brennan was informed that the Director of Public Prosecutions had consented to the case being dealt with by summary disposal in the district court, subject to the judge accepting jurisdiction. Judge Brennan initially declined to do so, indicating the matter was too serious for district court level.

However, following an appeal by defence solicitor Patrick Carty — who noted that his client faced a single charge of allowing her home to be used for the consumption of drugs — Judge Brennan reversed his decision and accepted jurisdiction. The case will therefore be concluded at district court level.

Mr Carty sought an adjournment to October, noting that a considerable volume of disclosure had already been provided by the investigating Gardaí. Ms Scally was remanded on bail to a sitting of Athlone District Court on 28 October.

Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)