Woman (52) who had €600 worth of cannabis herb in her handbag was ‘self-medicating’, court told

A 52 year old woman before Sligo District Court who admitted to possession of cannabis was taking it for medical reasons, it was claimed.

Before the court was Helen Reid (52) of St Joseph’s Terrace, Sligo who was charged with possession of cannabis at Forthill, Sligo on June 20 2023.

Sergeant Derek Butler told the court Gda Devenney was on patrol at Forthill and there was a female acting suspiciously.

There was a strong smell of cannabis and she was informed she was going to be searched.

In her handbag was a plastic bag containing €600 of cannabis herb.

Reid said it was for her own personal use.

Defending solicitor Mr Tom MacSharry told the court his client co-operated fully and made admissions.

She was 52 years old and suffered with chronic arthritis with pain in her hands, elbows, knees and hips.

She was self medicating and did realise it was a very serious situation she found herslef in.

She was now on prescribed medicine. He said she was pleading guilty and Mr MacSharry asked Judge O’Reilly given her age and circumstances to deal with it as leniently as possible.

Judge O’Reilly said €600 was a lot of cannabis to have. Mr MacSharry said she had bought it in bulk.

The judge said people have the mistaken belief that there is no difficulty with smoking cannabis at the moment but he said people are not allowed to.

“If you want to change the law, get into politics, there couldn’t be a better time to get involved in politics,” the judge told Reid.

Mr MacSharry said she wasn’t in great financial circumstances and asked the judge to be as lenient as possible.

Reid was convicted and fined €100.