Sarah Cala of Casement Grove, Finglas, Dublin pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin for a court appearance. irishphotodesk.ie
Courts
The drugs were discovered after gardaí stopped and searched Sarah Cala’s car, where the drugs were hidden by a false wall.
A DUBLIN WOMAN caught with more than €228,000 worth of drugs, after gardaí discovered a false wall in the boot of a car she was driving, has avoided jail.
Sarah Cala (47), of Casement Grove, Finglas, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of benzocaine intended for use in relation to drugs offences at her home on 17 April 2023.
She also pleaded guilty to possession within the State of heroin, cocaine and cannabis for sale of supply on the same date. The offence comes with presumptive minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment which a judge can depart from in exceptional circumstances.
She has two previous convictions.
At an earlier sentence hearing the court heard gardaí stopped and searched Cala’s car after she was observed driving erratically. A false wall was discovered in the boot of the car and drugs to the value of €76,934 were recovered. A follow-up search of Cala’s home and shed revealed a further drug haul valued at €151,000, as well as 12 kilograms of benzocaine.
Cala took responsibility for the drugs and entered an early guilty plea in the case.
Passing sentence on Wednesday, Judge Martina Baxter said it was a “heinous offence” and the sentencing regime reflects the disdain and concern for the effect the sale and supply of drugs has on individuals, families and society. She referenced the chaos and devastation caused by drugs.
She noted the contents of the psychological report presented Cala as extremely vulnerable.
Judge Baxter took into account that Cala was born into abject poverty and had been exposed to tragedy and trauma all her life. She noted her physical and mental health challenges.
The court heard she has a rare autoimmune disorder and a cleft palate which has deteriorated and needs reconstructive surgery. She also suffers from PTSD.
She accepted Cala was deeply remorseful and noted the family support in court. She commented to those in court that Cala needed to be supported in her recovery also.
Judge Baxter said it would be unjust in the circumstances not to depart from the presumptive minimum sentence, taking into account her guilty plea and cooperation in relation to her own role.
She identified her role as mid-level, assisting more serious offenders and noted the false wall in the car required an element of sophistication and planning. She set a headline sentence of six and a half years.
The judge noted Cala still has to address her cannabis use and address her insight into her offending, but said she was making a genuine effort to address her issues in the difficult circumstances of her life
She said she did not feel Cala and society would be best served by a custodial sentence at this point and it would have a detrimental effect on her rehabilitation.
Judge Baxter took into account mitigating and personal circumstances and imposed a six years sentence which she suspended in its entirety for six years
The conditions include 18 months probation supervision, refraining from the use of illicit substances and attending psychotherapy and counselling, as well as engaging with the probation service to develop a prosocial daily routine.
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