State forced to withdraw ecstasy charges

The State has withdrawn charges against a man accused of holding a small amount of ecstasy in light of Tuesday’s Court of Appeal ruling which temporarily legalised possession of the drug.

The man still faces sentence for possession of €23,000 of heroin, which he claimed he was holding to clear a €30,000 debt.

Phillip Farrell, aged 35, of Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, Dublin, was caught storing the drugs at his home on two separate occasions.