A Dublin drug addict has undergone a revolutionary operation to surgically cleanse his body of heroin, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has been told.
Outlining the operation to the court yesterday, Mr Michael O'Higgins, defending, said doctors administered a general anaesthetic to Stephen Comerford before performing the instant detoxification.
Comerford's parents paid more than £4,000 to send him to the Wellbeck Clinic in London's Harley Street. The operation was designed to alleviate the physical need for heroin to enable doctors and counsellors to carry out follow up treatment. The procedure is revolutionary, costly and still relatively unknown, said Mr O'Higgins.
Comerford (20), Drumfin Road, returned from Britain three weeks ago to plead guilty to possessing £1,200 worth of heroin for supply in Clondalkin on April 4th, 1996.
Mr O'Higgins ask for an adjournment of the sentence hearing to June 25th when an updated report from the clinic on Comerford's battle with addiction will be available.