Cannabis taken by ill women not contaminated - gardaí

Gardaí in Drogheda have said that cannabis that was tested after two women were left seriously ill, was not in fact contaminated.

"We can confirm that results of tests carried out on cannabis found it was not contaminated," said Garda Supt Gerry Smith, in Drogheda, yesterday.

The women remain in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and their condition is improving.

They had been admitted to the intensive care unit after suffering what appeared to be fits and seizures.

Initially it appeared the women became ill after smoking cannabis and after the women were hospitalised the HSE Addiction Services in the northeast issued an alert warning about a contaminated batch of cannabis .

Sources said the likelihood now is that their condition was caused by something taken with the cannabis. Supt Smith said that when they are well enough the women will be interviewed.