The Government has been urged to show compassion by lifting a drugs ban on a seriously ill expatriate Irishman returning home to visit his family.
The man, identified only as Mr M in court documents, lives in the Netherlands, where his palliative care includes medicines containing cannabis - an illegal drug in Ireland.
He was warned that if he visited Ireland, he would be arrested on entry for possession of illegal drugs.
Mr M complained to the European Commission, which found Ireland had not breached any EU rules.
Now the European Ombudsman, who investigates complaints about maladministration in EU institutions, including the commission, has backed the commission decision.
Source: Dundalk Democrat, 05/04/2011