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Repeat forger avoids jail over fake prescriptions

Summary

Lynsey Ryan, 39, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to forging prescriptions for sleeping tablets at five pharmacies in west Dublin between August 2018 and August 2020. She admitted taking 20 tablets nightly and relying on them for 15 years, citing addiction and the death of two family members as triggers. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced her to one year, suspended on conditions including engagement with employment services, urine analysis, and potential re‑introduction to court if drugs are detected. Ryan has 159 prior district court convictions, 67 for using a false instrument. Garda evidence showed forged prescriptions were identified by pharmacists and doctors, leading to CCTV evidence of 12 incidents at Lloyds Pharmacy Tallaght and 36 at McCabe's Pharmacy Tallaght, among others. A letter of apology and a partner's letter were presented to the court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Repeat forger avoids jail over fake prescriptions. Charges or matters: 51 counts of forging prescriptions at five pharmacies in west Dublin over a two-year period between August 2018 and August 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• August 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
• August 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
• March 27, 2021 Incident
• 2023-10-10 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report