Toddler hospitalised after ingesting cocaine at Westmeath house party

A two-year-old was rushed to Temple Street Hospital in a critical condition after allegedly consuming cocaine at a house party in Co Westmeath.

Toddler transferred to Temple Street in critical condition after house party cocaine incident

A two-year-old girl was hospitalised in critical condition after allegedly ingesting cocaine at a house party in Co Westmeath last year, Athlone District Court heard on Wednesday, the Irish Times reports.

Orla Scully (52), of Kilgarven, the Glebe, Fordrum, Co Westmeath, appeared before Judge John Brennan charged with possession of cocaine on her premises, contrary to section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.

Garda John Divilly of Castletown Garda station told the court that a house party took place at Scully's home between 24th and 28th October last year, during which drugs, including cocaine, were allegedly stored and consumed on the premises.

A friend of Scully's attended the party on 24th October, Divilly said, and the following day that friend's partner and her two-year-old daughter also arrived. The infant subsequently consumed cocaine, became ill, and was brought first to the Primary Treatment Centre in Athlone and then to Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe.

The child was then transferred by ambulance to Temple Street Hospital in Dublin in a critical condition. Five days later, Divilly said, she made a full recovery and currently resides with her grandmother.

Divilly told the court that the alleged incident was reported to the Garda station in Ballinasloe. Seized phones indicated that cocaine was both served and stored at the party, he said, and CCTV footage from the house showed those present — including Scully — during the relevant period. Text messages also pointed to drug use taking place at the gathering.

A "very small amount" of cocaine was found in Scully's bedside locker, Divilly said. Two other individuals are before the Circuit Court in connection with the alleged incident.

Judge Brennan was initially minded not to accept jurisdiction over the case given the seriousness of the circumstances. However, after reviewing the charge — which concerns possession of a small amount of a controlled drug — he agreed to deal with the matter on a summary basis. Sergeant Paul McNally confirmed to the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had recommended summary disposal.

Disclosure of documents the State intends to rely upon has already been made to Scully's solicitor, who requested additional time to consider the substantial volume of material.

Scully was remanded on bail and is due to appear before the court again on 28th October for mention, plea or date.

Source: Irish Times