The acquittal of Sunday Mirror journalist Naomi McElroy on charges of forging prescriptions has been warmly welcomed by Fine Gael deputy health spokesman Dan Neville TD, the president of the Irish Association of Suicidology.
Deputy Neville said Ms McElroy had been attempting to highlight the ease with which legal drugs can be obtained surreptitiously, and he hoped the case would highlight the ongoing abuse of legal drugs.
"I would like to congratulate Naomi McElroy on her professional investigative journalism and for highlighting an issue of great concern," he said.
"The abuse of prescription drugs which have been obtained illicitly has serious consequences for society as a whole, and particularly for young people.
"Investigative journalism by the likes of Ms McElroy is important, because politicians and pressure groups do not always have the time or the resources to conduct similar activities," said Mr Neville.
"Journalists have a crucial role in highlighting defects in the system. Recent examples include investigations into the sale of alcohol to underage persons.
"The court's ruling should ensure that investigative journalism can continue unimpeded."