Mum Vera's ‘walk to Dublin' plan prompts a review of cannabis law

VERA Twomey, the mother of six-year-old Ava Twomey from Aghabulloge who has Dravets Syndrome, described her meeting with Health Minister Simon Harris on Wednesday as ‘constructive’.

‘It was positive in that Minister Harris is calling on his officials to complete a review and expert report into the legalisation of cannabis oil and this is due in January,’ Vera told The Southern Star.

‘He also said he would look into helping Ava sooner than that, but would have to make further enquiries. We’re glad he is getting the review done, but we really need access to treatment for Ava.’

Vera and her husband later met with the AAA/ PBP TD Gino Kenny, who is behind a Bill calling for the regulation of cannabis for medicinal use. The Bill was first published in July and they are hoping that it will be debated in the Dáil early next year.

‘We will see how it goes for now, and I won’t continue my walk for the moment. I would also like to thank Jordan Bracken of Cork Chauffeurs who drove us to Dublin.’

Vera took to the roads last week and planned to walk to Dáil Eireann as a last resort to call for something to be done about her daughter’s medical condition, as she is prone to daily epileptic fits and seizures. She is calling for the legalisation of the element tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, which is illegal but is contained in cannabis oil.

However, when she got as far as Mallow that evening Minister Harris rang her, asking her to call off the walk.

‘Minister Harris said he wasn’t comfortable with me continuing with the walk and I asked him what would he do if I stopped? He said he was going to do his best.’