MAN CLAIMS HE USES CANNABIS TO RELIEVE PAIN OF CANCER

A MAN charged with possession of cannabis resin claimed that he smoked it
to relieve the pain of cancer.

The Dubliner who now lives in County Mayo appeared before Ballinrobe Court,
where the case was adjourned for a probation report.

Liam Boyle, of Kildotia, was charged with the possession of cannabis resin
on May 5 last year.

Garda Frank Kelly told the court that with garda Eileen Joyce he searched
the premises of Mary McNeill and Boyle, who live in two mobile homes near
The Neale.

In Ms McNeill's mobile home they found a container with a brown substance
that proved to be cannabis resin. The quantity was about 10 grams.

Ms McNeill told them that it was not her property. She said it belonged to
Mr Boyle.

"He acknowledged that it was his property," Garda Kelly said. "He said he
had cancer and that the cannabis helped to alleviate the pain."

Mr Boyle told the court that he had suffered severe injuries in a motorbike
accident.

He said he had had 17 sessions of radium treatment and had been in a lot of
pain.

Sean Foy, solicitor, said this was his client's first offence and he asked
that Mr Boyle's medical condition be taken into consideration.

Judge Shiels wondered whether there was any way that the defendant's
condition could be alleviated rather than by using cannabis, as it is a
prohibited drug.

He adjourned the case for a probation report until April 7.