Viagra-like pills on sale in sex shop, court told

Unregistered Viagra-like pills which carry serious health risks were on sale at a sex shop, a court heard.

Brian O’Byrne, of Capel St, Dublin, and his former partner Jacqueline Byrne, of Elmcastle Drive, Kilnamanagh, Tallaght, Dublin, have been accused of breaking medicinal products regulations.

The case has been brought by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) in connection with products on sale at an adult shop called Shauna’s, which the defendants allegedly operated, on Capel St in 2010.

Two authorised officers from the IMB carried out inspections at the sex shop where videos, magazines and toys were stocked, Dublin District Court heard. Other products were on display, but do not form part of the case, including packets of “exotic bon-bons” and “superdong” tablets.

The IMB inspectors seized several samples of three products, which were imported from the UK: Kamagra tablets, an unregistered viagra-like drug; coconut, peach and passion fruit flavoured Kamagra oral jelly; as well as tubes of Retardin.

Tests showed that they contained active ingredients that should only be sold by a registered pharmacist and under the direction of a doctor or a medical practitioner.

It is alleged that on dates from Mar 23, 2010, until Dec 8 that year, Mr O’Byrne and Ms Bryne kept and helped sell these products at the shop.

Mr O’Byrne and Ms Byrne have pleaded not guilty. Combined, they face 25 charges under the Medicinal Products regulations.

Judge O’Neill adjourned the case to consider defence arguments and the trial will resume later this month.