Courts / Dublin / Report

Jailed businessman raises issue of DNA extraction machine in bid to overturn conviction

Summary

In a 2023 appeal, Gezim Idrizi, a 38‑year‑old security provider from Luttrellstown Heights, sought to overturn a conviction for assault causing harm that left a victim out of work for six months. Idrizi was found guilty by a jury of one count of assault causing harm and acquitted of a false imprisonment charge. The trial judge, Patricia Ryan, sentenced him to three years and nine months, suspending the final six months for two years. Idrizi's appeal argued that the jury had no evidence about the functionality of the DNA extraction machine used on blood found at the scene, and that expert testimony from Sarah Fleming was inadmissible. The Court of Appeal, hearing counsel Michael Bowman SC and Eoghan Cole BL, noted that the DNA evidence was lawfully obtained and that the judge had not warned the jury about the limitations of DNA analysis. The court reserved its judgment on the matter. Gezim Idrizi pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jailed businessman raises issue of DNA extraction machine in bid to overturn conviction. Charges or matters: both charges. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Acquitted

When:

• February 1, 2016 Incident
• 2023-06-23 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report