Pair admit drug-related charge in Katy French case

A man and woman have pleaded guilty to drugs offences arising from the death of the model Katy French almost five years ago. Trim Circuit Court today heard that a second charge against both defendants would be struck out. Both Kieron Ducie (42), Lamberstown Manor, Kilmessan, and Ann Corcoran (32), Tolka Rd, Clonliffe Rd, Dublin 3 admitted that at unknown location between 6pm on 1st December 2007 and 10am on 2nd December 2007 they procured another man, Russell Memery, to possess cocaine for the purpose of sale or supply to another. The second charge alleged that on the same dates at 10 Lamberstown Manor Kilmessan they intentionally or recklessly engaged in conduct to wit the supply of cocaine to Katy French and failure to get medical assistance in a timely fashion which created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another. Prosecuting counsel Jonathan Kilfeather SC told Judge Leonie Reynolds that a nolle prosequi would be entered in relation to this second charge 'in due course'. Judge Reynolds adjourned the case and remanded Ducie and Corcoran on bail to the same court on 5th February 2013 when a date for evidence and sentencing will be set. Both Ducie and Corcoran sat within feet of Katy French's mother Janet and sister Jill during the brief court appearance. Three people have now pleaded guilty to drugs offences arising from the death of Katy French. Two years ago then 25 year old Russell Memery who had been living at Yellow Clay Manor, Navan, became the first person charged in connection with her death. Memery was given a two and half years suspended sentence at Trim Circuit Court after pleading guilty to having conspired to possess cocaine for the purpose of sale or supply to another between 11pm on 1st 2007 December and 3am on 2nd December 2007 The court heard that Memery had received €200 when he handed over cocaine to another person at the Statoil Service Station Clonee. Katy French died in Our Lady's Hospital Navan in December 2007 a number of days after she had collapsed following a house party in Kilmessan. A post mortem concluded that the 24 year old model had died as the result of brain damage and found traces of cocaine in her system.