Courts / Dublin / Report

Cancer sufferer grew cannabis as pain relief

Summary

Stacey Harcourt, 41, pleaded guilty to unlawful cultivation of cannabis at her north Dublin home after a Garda search in October 2021 uncovered 448 g of the herb. Harcourt, a cancer sufferer diagnosed with skin cancer in 2010 and treated with eight neck operations and 15 melanoma‑related procedures, said she grew the plant from seed and used about five grams each evening for pain relief, claiming it was the only effective treatment after chemotherapy failed. She denied ever selling the cannabis. Her lawyer, Olan Callanan, argued that the drug was used solely for her own medical comfort. Judge Martina Baxter acknowledged Harcourt's situation but reiterated that each use constituted an offence. The court adjourned sentencing to 21 April, pending a Probation Service assessment and urine drug analysis.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Cancer sufferer grew cannabis as pain relief. Charges or matters: unlawful cultivation of cannabis at her home on October 14, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• October 2021 Incident
• October 14, 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
• April 21 Adjournment
• 2023-02-01 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report