High Court quashes James Duffy’s return for trial in cigarette duty case

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The High Court quashed the return for trial of James Duffy, who is accused of evading excise duty on 14,000 cigarettes allegedly found in his baggage at Dublin Airport. The court sent the case back to the District Court so he can make a fresh decision about his plea with a meaningful opportunity to obtain legal advice.

Ms Justice Siobhán Phelan found that the required information about access to legal advice and other procedural rights had not accompanied the summons. The omission deprived Duffy of a fair opportunity to get independent advice before entering a plea in a process that could affect the trial venue and potential sentence. The court did not decide whether he was guilty of the alleged offence.