Rachel Allen’s son to spend Christmas in rehab before sentencing over drug offences

The eldest son of celebrity chef Rachel Allen is to spend the next three months in a residential facility for addiction treatment prior to his sentencing for possessing over €22,000 worth of drugs.

Joshua Allen, 19, of Ballinmona, Shanagarry, Co. Cork, was remanded in custody at Cork Circuit Criminal Court earlier this month.

The presiding judge in the case, Sean O Donnabhain, said that his response to facing serious drug charges was ‘unimpressive’.

Yesterday at the court, counsel for the defence Siobhan Lankford, SC, said her client had been anxious to secure a bed in a three-month continuous residential treatment programme for his addiction issues. The bed has now been secured, the court heard.

Allen will remain in the treatment facility right through Christmas and up to and possibly beyond his sentencing hearing depending on the outcome of the case.

Donal McCarthy, SC, counsel for the State, said they had no objection to Allen entering a residential treatment programme provided that he goes under the direction of the Probation Service and immediately takes up his place in the facility.

The treatment centre will inform the Probation Service if Allen steps out of line whilst in residential care for his addiction issues.

Ms Lankford said that her client had no difficulty in complying with all directions of the court.

Judge O Donnabhain remanded Allen on bail on his own bond of €100 until his sentencing hearing on February 28. He directed that Allen immediately enter the treatment facility.

He said that no determinations had been made about the outcome of the case and that there was ‘no guarantees in this courtroom.’ Allen left the courtroom accompanied by his father Isaac.

At a court sitting earlier this month, Judge Ó Donnabháin said that the probation report had shown that the defendant ‘had not matured in the manner’ he would expect for a person facing serious charges.

‘There is no point in minimising what has happened. He has knitted his own jumper. I will not let him do that,’ the judge said.

Earlier this year, Allen pleaded guilty to committing two drugs offences at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Shanagarry, Co. Cork, on August 30, 2018.

He pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply when the market value exceeded €13,000 or more.

This charge was brought contrary to Section 15 (A) of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Allen also pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine on the same occasion. This is a Section 3 Offence of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

He also pleaded guilty to one other Section 3 charge, committed at his home. The charge involves possession of cannabis on September 5, 2018 at Ballinamona, Shanagarry.

Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that Allen was arrested in September of last year after the controlled delivery of a parcel containing the cannabis to an address in East Cork.

Customs in Portlaoise Mail Centre had become suspicious of the parcel which had a US postmark.

Detective Garda Michael O’Halloran told the court that the package was intercepted by customs in Portlaoise. It was found to contain cannabis with a street value of €22,694.

A controlled delivery was arranged, addressed to Allen at Ballymaloe Cookery School.

The package was signed for and received by Allen. Gardaí observed him opening the package and intercepted it.

A small quantity of cocaine worth €66 was also found, in the wallet of the defendant.

Allen was arrested and detained at Cobh Garda Station. He admitted it was his third or fourth time engaging in such a delivery.

He co-operated fully with Gardai and told investigating officers that he secured the drugs from a female resident in California whom he met in East Cork. He had travelled to London and paid her €2,000 in cash for the drugs.

On September 5 last year, a further small quantity of cannabis was found at Ballinamona, Shanagarry. The cannabis, which was found at his home, had a street value of €203.

In a statement last year, Rachel Allen and her husband Isaac said they were ‘devastated’ by the arrest of their son in relation to drugs charges.

Mr and Mrs Allen said that Joshua had admitted his guilt and was co-operating with Gardai.