Cork woman remanded after police stop €243,000 cocaine haul

Gardaí have remanded a 32‑year‑old Cork woman in custody after stopping her on the M8 with a €243,000 stash of cocaine.

Detective Garda Eoin O’Toole told Cork Circuit Criminal Court that the woman, Ellen Tobin, was observed driving on the M8 at Riverstown, Glanmire on 11 August 2025. When gardaí approached her she was described as “panicky, nervous and upset”.

Police found a bag containing more than 3 kg of cocaine hidden in the footwell of the front passenger seat. Tobin admitted she had made a second trip from Cork to Portlaoise to collect the drugs, having previously been paid €400 and given a small amount for personal use.

She declined to name the person who instructed her to collect the drugs in Portlaoise. Her defence solicitor, Marjorie Farrelly, said Tobin had no prior convictions, suffered from alcohol and cocaine addiction and acted as a “low‑level mule”. The Probation Service assessed her as a low risk of re‑offending and a governor’s report noted positive behaviour while remanded in Limerick Prison.

Judge Sinéad Behan noted the seriousness of the offence – possession of drugs for sale with a value exceeding €13,000, which carries a minimum ten‑year sentence unless exceptional circumstances apply – and ordered Tobin to remain in custody pending sentencing on 29 October.

Tobin resides at 179 Comeragh Park, The Glen, Cork, and has admitted the offences.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Can / Pexels.