Danielle Louise O’Brien, 43, Crestmead, mother of Riley O’Brien-Faulkner in court for meth, shotgun

A Logan mother whose son drove over a young police officer and later died in the Beenleigh Watchhouse, was caught by police with 5g of methamphetamine stashed up her bum and was in possession of a shotgun.

Danielle Louise O'Brien entering Beenleigh Magistrates Court for drug offending

A Logan mother whose son drove over a young police officer and later died in the Beenleigh Watchhouse while in custody for other matters has been forced to explain to a court why she was found with 5g of methamphetamine stashed up her rear end and was in possession of a shotgun.

Beenleigh Magistrates Court heard O’Brien’s drug-use and criminal behaviour began when her 21-year-old son Riley O’Brien-Faulkner tragically died in the Beenleigh Watchhouse on August 17 last year while on a return to prison warrant.

O’Brien-Faulkner ran down Constable Peter McAulay in 2018, when he was just a teenager.

Con McAulay was dragged under the car for some distance, suffering massive injuries including displacement of his brain, spinal injuries, broken bones, a dislocated cheek, hearing loss and lost multiple teeth.

He underwent many surgeries, was bedridden for months and had to learn to walk again. He made a remarkable recovery and returned to work after 18 months.

O’Brien-Faulkner spent two and a half years behind bars before being released and then tragically dying in police custody last year, from a suspected drug overdose.

This week, Beenleigh Magistrates court heard that O’Brien-Faulkner’s mother Danielle Louise O’Brien was stopped by police and a search uncovered a shocking array of items.

On September 14, 2023 in Crestmead the 43-year-old mother of three was found with a shotgun and ammunition in her car.

Police also located 5g of methamphetamine stored up the Crestmead woman’s rectum on August 13, which had an estimated purity of 75 per cent.

O’Brien pleaded guilty to possessing dangerous drugs exceeding schedule three, authority needed to use explosives, possession of utensils or pipes and two charges of unlawful possession of a weapon.

She was also on parole for drug trafficking at the time of the offending.

O’Brien’s defence lawyer Eleanor Meany said a probation order would provide her client with the right level of support.

“Ms O’Brien had a difficult childhood and was in a relationship with a man for 23 years which she had three children to,” she said.

“She started using drugs during this relationship and it then escalated when her son tragically died in the Beenleigh Watchhouse last year.

“There was no commercial element to this offending and I don’t think an actual period of imprisonment is necessary.”

Magistrate Terry Duroux considered an actual custodial sentence but due to O’Brien’s rehabilitation efforts, suspended the prison sentence.

“Drugs and weapons are a toxic mix,” he said.

“I accept you have been through a tragic event and have made great efforts to rehabilitate yourself.”

O’Brien was sentenced to 18 months prison, wholly suspended for an operation period of two years.

She had already served 133 days of pre-sentence custody.

Originally published as Danielle Louise O’Brien, 43, Crestmead, mother of Riley O’Brien-Faulkner in court for meth, shotgun