A MOTHER AND her teenage son have appeared in court charged with drug dealing in Dublin.

The woman, who is in her late thirties, and the boy, aged 17, were before the Dublin Children’s Court today. Both are charged with possessing €1,300 worth of cannabis and having it at their south inner city Dublin home with intent to sell or supply to another on a date last April.

The mother also has additional charges for unlawful possession of a cocaine and having with to sell or supply, at their home address on the same date. The value of the cocaine allegedly seized has not yet been given.

Neither can be named because the youth is still a juvenile.

Defence counsel Damian McKeone said the boy was pleading guilty to his charges. The case was delayed to allow for the boy’s father to come to court.

Guardian

A parent or legal guardian of defendants in the Children’s Court must attend the hearings. However, in this case the judge said the mother who accompanied her son could not act as the responsible adult because she was a co-defendant.

When the father arrived, the case against the youth proceeded and the judge heard that gardai seized more than 40 packets of cannabis when they searched his bedroom. The court heard he is working and Mr McKeone asked the judge to note that the boy had entered a guilty plea at the earliest possible occasion and is currently in employment.

The teenager had three prior convictions for public order and trespassing offences.

His sentencing was adjourned to allow time for a probation report on him to be furnished to the court.

The mother’s case was ordered to appear again on a later date for directions from the DPP to be obtained. She has not yet entered a plea to the charges.