Slimming pill seller told she must pay €3k costs

A Dublin woman, who admitted unlawfully supplying potentially dangerous slimming tablets, must come up with proposals to pay €3,250 in legal costs, a judge has ordered.

Lydia McCarthy, a mother of two and with an address at Alexandra Place, East Rd, East Wall, admitted using mail order and advertising the medication on popular websites.

She has pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to 16 counts of breaking medicinal products regulations.

She had already been given eight months to pay fees and expenses incurred by the Irish Medicines Board, now the Health Products Regulatory Authority. After its costs are discharged, the court can proceed to consider any other penalties.

Her lawyer told Judge John O’Neill the accused has €300, which was handed over, in court.

Counsel also told Judge O’Neill that the woman could afford €30 a week to cover the costs.

Judge O’Neill said the woman faced very serious chargers and he wanted “concrete proposals” from her when the case resumes in February.