Courts / Dublin / Report

Drug-dealing rickshaw driver avoids jail on condition she leave country

Date
2018-02-08
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Bianca Francisco, a 21-year-old Brazilian national and rickshaw driver, appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where she pleaded guilty to unlawful possession for sale or supply of a controlled substance at her home in May 2017. Gardaí seized MDMA, primarily ecstasy tablets with an estimated street value of €4,570, along with lesser amounts of cocaine and other controlled drugs, weighing scales, and €1,060 in cash during a search of her flat. Francisco admitted to holding the drugs for another person without payment. Judge Patrick Quinn suspended a 12-month prison sentence on the condition that Francisco leave Ireland within three months. The judge noted that while her involvement likely stemmed from economic necessity, it was not an excuse, and he determined it was in her best interests to return to her family in Brazil. The court ordered the destruction of the seized drugs and the confiscation of the cash. This sentencing followed a previous finalisation in April 2017, where Francisco pleaded guilty to possession for sale or supply of cannabis, cocaine, and MDMA. For that earlier offence, involving drugs with an estimated street value of €1,555, a Dublin District Court judge had ordered 180 hours of community service in lieu of a six-month prison sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Drug-dealing rickshaw driver avoids jail on condition she leave country. Charges or matters: unlawful possession for sale or supply of a controlled substance at her home in May last; possession for sale or supply of cannabis, cocaine and MDMA. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Bianca Francisco

Defendant

Charges: unlawful possession for sale or supply of a controlled substance at her home in May last; possession for sale or supply of cannabis, cocaine and MDMA (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Credit: Collins) A rickshaw driver caught with over €4,000 worth of ecstasy tablets has had a prison sentence suspended on condition she leave the country. He suspended a 12 month prison sentence on condition that Francisco leave Ireland in the next three months.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
  • Dublin District Court
Residence

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report

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