This article is from page 4 of the 2012-04-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
DRUGS charges against a long-term cancer sufferer are likely to be struck out if she does not come to the attention of gardaí over the next six months, a court has heard.
Jacquelene Corris (40) appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.
Ms Corris, with an address at 4 Connolly Villas, Ennis, previously pleaded guilty to cultivating, without license, 13 cannabis plants. She was also charged with unlawful possession of cannabis
The plants, with an estimated value of € 5,200, were found during a garda search of 4 Connolly Villas on October 24, 2011.
The court previously heard that Ms Corris, who has suffered from cancer since her teens, could only get relief from the condition by taking cannabis.
A judge had earlier ordered a report from the probation and welfare services.
That report was handed into Judge Patrick Durcan at Ennis District Court Court last week.
Her solicitor Joe Chambers said the report had been very favourable towards his client.
He said Ms Corris, who has no previous convictions, had fully co-operated with gardaí during the investigation and had offered an early plea.
He added, “It is accepted by the State that she is not part of any criminal network.”
Mr Chambers said the incident had been a salutatory lesson for his client. He added;
“There is a strong likelihood that she will not re-offend.”
Judge Durcan said, “The report is very positive and one must compliment Ms Corris on the efforts she has made to remedy the situation.”
Noting her early plea and good record, he added, “She was not part of a ring.
“What was grown and cultivated was for personal use.”
He remanded Ms Corris on continuing bail to appear at Ennis District Court on October 10.
He said that if no further matters arose in the next six months, he would strike out the charges.