GALWAY MAN IN LEGAL BATTLE WITH GOVERNMENT

Date Published: 25-May-2008

A Ballinasloe man living in Holland who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis has begun a legal bid to force the Irish Government to allow him return home with his prescription for medical cannabisToday's Sunday Tribune reports that Noel McCullagh claims the government is flouting EU regulations by not permitting him to visit Galway for a holiday with his narcotic based medicineThe chronically ill 32 year old claims an official from the Department of Health has told him if he enters the state with his prescription he will be arrested and charged with a criminal offence.Noel Mc Cullagh claims the government is ignoring Article 75 of the Schengen Convention stating that people may carry narcotic drugs within the EU if they are necessary for their medical treatmentHowever a Department of Justice Spokesperson says that a European Council decision of 2002 only signals Ireland's 'intention to participate to a certain extent in Schengen'