A woman whom gardai believed might have grossed as much as IEP40,000 from
drug dealing has been jailed for six years by Judge Frank O'Donnell at
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Louise Shevlin (25), of Avon dale House, Dublin, pleaded guilty to having
heroin for sale or supply on July 15th, 1997.

Garda Angela Willis told the court she recovered heroin valued at IEP2,350
during a search of Shevlin's apartment in July 1997. The search was carried
out by the north central divisional drugs unit during Operation
Co-operation, which targeted a major drugs network in the inner city area.

Shevlin, a mother of two, was one of the main people distributing heroin for
Michael "Country Mick" Heeney, who was recently jailed by Judge Cyril Kelly
for 12 years.

Judge O'Donnell noted Shevlin challenged the prosecution assertion that she
had made substantial money from dealing but he had to have regard to the
effects her actions had on so many young people in the inner city area. The
court had to regard drug dealing for profit as a serious offence.

Judge O'Donnell agreed with the request of defence counsel, Mr Patrick
Marrinan, to review the case on January 20th, 1999, to see if Coolmine
Therapeutic Centre was an option for Shevlin. Should she be deemed suitable,
and a place becomes available before that, the case will be re-entered.

Checked-by: "Rolf Ernst"