Courts / Dublin / Report

Court of Appeal overturns dismissal of €1 million heroin charge against Dublin man

Date
2014-12-05

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

The Court of Appeal has overturned the dismissal of a €1 million heroin possession charge against Stephen Reddington, a 31‑year‑old Dublin man. Reddington, who lives on Wheatfield Avenue, Clondalkin, was charged on 11 November 2011 with possession for sale or supply of heroin worth more than €1 million at his home. The charges were dismissed last year by Judge Mary Ellen Ring because the search warrant for Reddington's home was deemed illegal. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, and the Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Seán Ryan, ruled that there was sufficient evidence for the warrant. Judge Ryan noted that the investigating Garda had obtained information from a source about heroin in the home and had observed drug users frequenting the premises. He concluded that suspicion, not proof, was required and that the warrant was reasonable.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Court of Appeal overturns dismissal of €1 million heroin charge against Dublin man. Charges or matters: possession for sale or supply of heroin worth more than €1m at his home on November 11 2011. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

November 11 2011 Incident
December 17 Hearing Or Sentence
2014-12-05 Publication

Why: Judge Ring held that observations of the home being frequented by drug users was not a reasonable ground alone for suspicion because the premises could have been a drugs treatment clinic. CNI source report