McGuinness is listed in the NSW Police Gazette of 25 September 1929 as having been convicted of two charges of having cocaine illegally in her possession, for which she was sentenced to concurrentsix and twelve months imprisonment with hard labour. Her daughter Hazel McGuinness also faced the court at the same time, on similar charges, but was released on a bond (see 'Mug shot of Hazel McGuiness'). Police and prosecution witnessesdescribed McGuinness senior, who occupied a terrace house in Hargreave Street, as being one of the most active cocaine dealers in the Darlinghurst area at the time. A police witness described her as 'themost evil woman in Sydney'. In 1925, as 'Edith Cavanagh' she had been sentenced to twelve months (suspended) for having in her possession forged bank notes.
Titled "Ada McGuinness (alias Edith Mitchell, Edith Cavanagh), Special photograph number D33, 26 July 1929, Central Police Station, Sydney."
Source: Sydney Living Museum (Justice & Police Museum).
