Woman produced fake prescriptions at Kildare pharmacy after getting hooked on painkiller drug

A woman who produced fake prescriptions to obtain the painkilling drug tramadol at a local pharmacy appeared before Naas District Court.

Judge Desmond Zaidan was told that the prescriptions were produced on five occasions in between early May and mid-October 2023.

The court was told that the woman has a number of previous convictions.

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Solicitor Tim Kennelly told the court that the woman was initially prescribed tramadol after she had had a miscarriage.

He added she became addicted to the medication.

“She had serious urgings and longings for it and she was suffering from blinding headaches."

Mr Kennelly said the woman had hidden her addiction from her husband and her family and he likened the addiction to heroin addiction “but the difference is that you can get it prescribed to you.”

Mr Kennelly said the defendant had not heard of the medication before it had been legitimately prescribed for her. He also pointed out that there was no theft involved and the medication had always been paid for.

Judge Zaidan imposed a peace bond for a period of 12 months. He told the defendant that if she breaches the terms of the bond he will impose a jail term of two years.