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A Ballinasloe man who cannot enter Ireland because his cannabis medicine is illegal here has slammed Galway TDs who, he believes, would not help him because the issue is too politically sensitive.
 Ballinasloe man, Multiple Sclerosis sufferer, Noel McCullagh, pictured above at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, has been told he will be arrested if he enters Ireland with his cannabis medication. Photo: Ole Chavannes
Noel McCullagh, who lives in the Netherlands, suffers from the neurological condition Muscular Sclerosis (MS) and has been prescribed cannabis as a last resort medication, after other drugs worsened his condition.
However, despite Ireland signing up to many provisions of the Schengen Agreement, the Irish authorities argue that he is not permitted to possess cannabis in this jurisdiction. He has been told that he will be arrested if he crosses the Irish border, because his medicine is illegal here.
Speaking to the Galway Independent, Mr McCullagh said he had written to both Noel Treacy and Ulick Burke, but neither TD acknowledged his correspondence, from what he believes was a lack of political courage. He has also slammed Galway East TD Michael Kitt for his defence of Minister Harney's position on the issue in the Dáil. Dublin TD Joe Costello has asked a number of questions in the Dáil on his behalf.
Mr McCullagh was diagnosed with MS in August 2006. After his diagnosis, he was treated with conventional drugs, which left him unable to have a normal standard of living.
After suffering several serious side effects from the cocktail of drugs he took, his neurologist prescribed medicinal cannabis in December 2007.
"My neurologist said it was no problem to go abroad because of the Schengen agreement. Medicinal cannabis is a VAT product, a consumer product that you have to buy on prescription from a pharmacy. It's produced by the Ministry of Health here at a secret location. I buy it in a container, entirely sterile, and the guidelines are very strict about how much active ingredient there is in it.
"If you have MS and your white blood cells are hell bent on dismantling your entire brain piece by piece, then this is good news."
However, when he tried to travel home to Ireland the issue became clear. Although the UK authorities cleared his entry with the drug, provided he had his papers in his possession at all times, he was refused entry into Ireland.
Britain and Ireland are signed up to the same provisions of Schengen, so Mr McCullagh is challenging the Irish authorities' refusal to allow him access.
He has not been home since he began taking the cannabis, and a two-day trip to France during which he forgot his medication left him hospitalised. He says he cannot go without it again.
Mr McCullagh's parents, Michael and Ann, said they found the situation upsetting.
"This is distressing for us as parents, to see how Noel is being treated. We will do anything we possibly can to help Noel."
Responding to Mr McCullagh's comments, Deputy Michael Kitt said he recalled making the response on behalf of Minister Harney in the Dáil.
"Basically, the reply went on the line that the Government was guided on medical advice from the Department of Health – the cannabis might be of help to some people but it still has not been legalised. That's the law of the land; we can't allow it to be used or sold here," he said.
Deputy Ulick Burke concurred with this, saying he had "never heard such a definitive response" from the Minister of Health on any issue, and adding that he had spoken to Mr McCullagh extensively on the situation. "I spoke to him at length on the whole situation."The Fine Gael TD added that he had "great sympathy" for Mr McCullagh, but said the law as it is restricts him from entering the country.
Deputy Noel Treacy was unavailable for comment due to Dáil business.
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