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Cancer sufferer who grew cannabis as pain relief gets community service
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Stacey Harcourt, 41, pleaded guilty to unlawful cultivation of cannabis at her home. The court found that she had grown the plant from seed, clipped the leaves, and used about five grams each evening for pain relief after her skin cancer diagnosis in 2010 and subsequent chemotherapy failure. Gardaí seized 448 grams of cannabis herb, valued at €8,966. Harcourt, who had eight neck operations and 15 malignant melanoma operations, claimed she never sold the plant. Judge Martina Baxter, after a Probation Service assessment, imposed 240 hours of community service in lieu of a two‑year prison term, citing Harcourt's remorse, rehabilitation efforts, and cancer‑free status. The sentence also noted her prior convictions for traffic offences and a 2005 incident involving a post officer raider. Harcourt expressed gratitude to the judge and stated she would try to reduce her use but could not stop entirely.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Cancer sufferer who grew cannabis as pain relief gets community service. Charges or matters: unlawful cultivation of cannabis at her home on October 14, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 14, 2021 Other
- 2023-07-19 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: unlawful cultivation of cannabis at her home on October 14, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Today as Judge Baxter ordered that Harcourt should carry out 240 hours community service in lieu of a two-year prison term, Harcourt spoke from the body of the court in praise of the judge. "Can I just say, you are brilliant. Judge Baxter said that a report from the Probation Service indicated that Harcourt had impressed the probation officer and she had been deemed suitable for community service.; Judge Baxter had adjourned the case to allow time for a Probation Service assessment and requested urine analysis for drugs.
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