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Ireland mistakenly legalises drugs: Twitter reacts to bizarre loophole allowing ecstasy, ketamine and magic mushrooms for one night only

The government is attempting to rush through emergency legislation tonight to block the loophole

Kashmira Gander
Tuesday 10 March 2015 22:33 GMT
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A small bag of the drug Ecstasy
A small bag of the drug Ecstasy

Twitter erupted in confusion today, after a stranger-than-fiction legal case saw over 100 drugs including ecstasy, ketamine and magic mushrooms become legal in Ireland for one night only.

The substance also known as 4-mec or snow blow is one of around 100 brought under a blanket ban in Ireland four years ago, which forced head shops around the country out of business overnight.

The court today agreed that the law making possession of methylethcathinone was unconstitutional, and by doing so temporarily legalised the possession of other drugs in the same category due to the way Irish law works.

Twitter users were quick to react to the news, and make plans and predictions for the night ahead.

Some compared it to the 2013 movie The Purge, in which the government sanctions all criminal activity for an annual 12-hour period.

Others jokingly lamented that they weren't in Ireland to take advantage of the loophole.

Health Minister Leo Varadkar warned anyone tempted to take advantage of the temporary decriminalisation to think about their health.

"They all have very significant health risks that outweigh any perceived recreational benefits," he said.

A qualified doctor, Mr Varadkar said he is working to pass the emergency laws within 24 hours.

"We had no way of knowing what the court would decide today, but we prepared for this possibility," he said.

Additional reporting by PA

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