MING TREATS POLITICIANS TO A JOINT

Cannabis joints were mailed to every TD and senator in the State yesterday
by a West of Ireland man leading a campaign for the legalisation of the drug.

The idea landed Mr Luke "Ming" Flanagan (29) in Garda custody, however, and
last night a Garda spokesman confirmed he had been released without charge
and a file would go to the DPP.

Ming, who had designated yesterday National Legalise Cannabis Day,
travelled to Dublin from his home in Castlerea, Co Roscommon, to mark the
event by presenting the Minister with special responsibility for drugs, Mr
Eoin Ryan, with a cannabis plant.

He was outside the Minister's offices on Kildare Street when he was
arrested by gardai "acting on information".

His letter to members of the Oireachtas, each containing a joint, listed 10
reasons why he believed cannabis should be legalised.

It also made it clear to public representatives that cannabis was illegal
and said "it is advisable that you bring the enclosed joint to your local
Garda station. Otherwise you will be breaking the law". One of the first to
do this was Independent TD Mr Jackie Healy Rae.

There was no such advice for journalists who received similar packages. "I
have enclosed a joint for you to enjoy on the day," was the message for them.

Not all letters seem to have arrived at their destinations, however. The
Oireachtas public relations office said just eight of Ming's letters had
arrived at Leinster House. They had been handed over to the Garda, a
spokeswoman confirmed.

A spokesman for the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said he had not received one of
the letters.

Mr Flanagan said this may have been because he sent some of the letters to
TDs at their home or constituency office addresses.

His local Fine Gael TD, Mr Denis Naughten, confirmed he received one. "I
just smiled at it and said it's another of Luke's publicity stunts to
highlight his campaign to legalise cannabis." He said his only concern was
that the bulky letters might have caused alarm among postal workers worried
about anthrax scares.

When released from Pearse Street Garda station shortly after 6 p.m. Ming
said he was "very happy" with his day's work. He said he had been searched
and found in possession of pounds 2 to pounds 3 "worth of grass". He had
made a statement and it had been indicated to him that those who received
his mail would also be asked to make statements, he said.

Ming, who was a candidate in both the last general and European elections,
has a number of convictions for cannabis possession and had two other cases
pending before yesterday's incident. "I'm not concerned about further
prosecutions. It's like falling off a bike, once you do it once you're not
scared any more," he said.