Courts / Dublin / Report

Woman caught with cannabis plants was smoking drug due to medical condition

Date
2023-05-04

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A 33‑year‑old Dublin woman, Aisling Dekker, was found with more than €24,000 worth of cannabis, including two mature plants, at her home. She admitted to possessing cannabis for sale or supply and to cultivating it on 28 July 2021. Gardaí seized the drugs and related paraphernalia after a search warrant was executed while she was returning from the shops. Dekker claimed she was growing the plants to use a cannabis derivative to relieve joint pain from her autoimmune condition, urticaria, and that she was smoking the drug at the time of the offence. She had no prior convictions and cooperated with the police. The court ordered a probation report and adjourned the case for finalisation on 4 October. The judge noted her vulnerability and expressed concern about her future reoffending. Aisling Dekker pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman caught with cannabis plants was smoking drug due to medical condition. Charges or matters: cultivating cannabis at her home on the same date. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

July 28, 2021 Incident
October 4 Adjournment
2023-05-04 Publication

Why: The court heard that Dekker came to garda attention because of the person who had dropped drugs at her house, who had been someone of interest. Court evidence reported by CNI