Man conned doctor to get a prescription for drugs

Paul Murray (43) claimed that this incident was an eye-opener and as a result he has been off all drugs for nearly a year.

Judge David McHugh convicted and fined Murray €100.

The defendant, with an address at Dodsboro Cottages in Lucan, admitted before Blanchardstown District Court to making gain or causing loss by deception.

The incident, contrary to the theft and fraud offences act, took place at Mount Shannon Road in Kilmainham on October 4, 2013.

Garda Damien Reilly said that he stopped Murray at Paddocks Way in Lucan around 12.30pm. He handed over to the garda a prescription in the name of another man, which he got off a doctor in Kilmainham.

Convinced

Gda Reilly said that Murray convinced the doctor that he was the other man, and that was how he managed to get the prescription.

The court heard the defendant has three previous convictions, mostly for drug-related matters, but hasn't been in trouble for some time.

Defence solicitor Simon Fleming said Murray, a father of four, had battled a drug problem and was looking to get prescription drugs from the doctor.

Mr Fleming said that the defendant, who lives with his partner, has been clean of drugs since November 2013 and is "no longer showing up in the usual haunts" where drug activity is known to take place.

Gda Reilly accepted Murray has not come to attention since this incident.

The court also heard that Murray is focused on staying drug free.

Imposing a €100 fine, Judge McHugh said that in this case the conviction was more significant than the monetary tariff he had set.

hnews@herald.ie