Call for ban on over-the-counter painkillers after young mother dies of overdose

Codeine is regulated in Ireland in terms of how available it is, but "perhaps this is not enough", said Tánaiste  Leo Varadkar. File image.

A young mother-of-two became addicted to over-the-counter painkillers and died of an overdose, the Dáil has been told.

Sligo-Leitrim TD Marian Harkin raised the case of Laura Newell during Leaders' Questions on Thursday, calling for Government action on the medications, which contain codeine.