Courts / Dublin / Report

Stay granted on drugs conviction after High Court hears forensics claim

Summary

In a High Court hearing, a stay was granted on the conviction of a Dublin man, Jason Malone, who was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment for possession of cocaine and heroin in July 2022. Malone, aged 42, challenged the admissibility of forensic evidence presented by a Forensic Science Ireland employee, arguing that the certifying officer had no direct involvement in the analysis of the substances. His lawyers contended that the absence of "essential proofs" and the lack of the officer's first‑hand knowledge rendered the certificate inadmissible under the hearsay rule, thereby undermining the court's basis for conviction. The High Court, presided over by Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty, described the case as "very interesting" and adjourned it for mention on March 11, following the grant of a stay on the conviction order. The case remains pending review of the legal issues raised by Malone's counsel.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Stay granted on drugs conviction after High Court hears forensics claim. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

• July 2022 Incident
• March 11 Adjournment
• 2025-02-11 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report