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OD fears for MS victim in drugs case
Andrew Black and Rachel Blackburn The Irish Examiner
Thursday 03 Jul 2003 HOSPITAL staff were today monitoring a multiple sclerosis sufferer who is thought to have taken an overdose after her controversial trial collapsed. Elizabeth Ivol, 55, was rushed to hospital from her home in Orkney yesterday as it emerged that prosecutors were about to drop charges of supplying cannabis against her. Ms Ivol, known as Biz, admitted distributing the drug in specially prepared chocolates, but pleaded not guilty on the grounds that she believed she was doing nothing wrong. Yesterday the Crown Office announced it was ending the case because of Ms Ivol's failing health, but insisted it had not accepted her plea. Hours earlier, Ms Ivol who had been excused from the hearing was found unconscious at her home in Herston, South Ronaldsay. Ms Ivol, who had said that she planned to take her own life after the case, was rushed to Balfour Hospital. Neighbour Bobby McCutcheon, who found Ms Ivol, has been keeping a vigil at her hospital bedside. The court proceedings ended after the Crown accepted Ms Ivol was no longer fit to stand trial. In a makeshift court at Kirkwall's leisure centre called into service because of its disabled access Ms Ivol's solicitor James McKay quoted a report from his client's GP, which stated she had become "unfit for any further court appearance". Sheriff Colin Scott Mackenzie told the court that it was "an unsatisfactory ending to a sad case". He added: "Given all the publicity this has attracted, I feel I have to say that any questions of legalisation or decriminalisation of cannabis is a matter for politicians, not for the courts." Clara O'Donnell, spokeswoman for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, said: "In my view, those in charge of deciding the future of the case should have dropped it two years ago. "In my opinion, Biz has not been allowed her day in court.
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