This article is from page 9 of the 2012-02-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
A LONG-TERM cancer sufferer could only get relief from the disease by taking cannabis, a court in Ennis has heard. Jacquelene Corris (40) told gardaí that she grew 13 cannabis plants in the back kitchen of her home in Ennis for personal use to cope with a medical condition.
At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Corris, with an address at 4 Connolly Villas, Ennis, pleaded guilty to cultivating, without license, plants of genus cannabis. She was also charged with unlawful possession of cannabis.
Garda Francis Brennan gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. The court heard that Garda Brennan carried out a search of the accused’s home at 4 Connolly Villas on October 24, 2011. Thirteen cannabis plants, valued at € 5,200, were found in the back kitchen of the premises, the court heard.
Garda Brennan said there was no evidence that the cannabis was to be sold. He said the plants were for Corris’ own personal use. Insp Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the matter. Judge Aeneas McCarthy accepted jurisdiction.
Solicitor Joe Chambers told the court that his client, who is self-employed, suffers from long-term cancer and has the “cancer gene”. He said cancer is an ongoing problem for his client who has undergone numerous operations. He added, “The only relief she can get is from taking this plant.”
Mr Chambers said that Corris cooperated fully with gardaí and has since “varied her ways”. Judge McCarthy adjourned the matter until April 4 for preparation of a report by the probation and welfare services.