Drug ruling affects at least four big cases

When Mr Justice Gerard Hogan delivered his judgment, he opened the proverbial can of worms.

In responding quickly, and apparently decisively, to the ruling, the Government appeared to have shoved the lid back on.

Yes, Health Minister Leo Varadkar said, there was the unfortunate reality that a wide range of drugs — from ecstasy to new synthetic drugs — would be legal to possess for a 48-hour period before emergency legislation was rushed through.