Delays at forensic science lab ‘absolutely ridiculous’

Delays at the Forensic Science Laboratory were described by a district judge yesterday as “absolutely ridiculous”.

Judge Marie Keane said the State would have to sort out the difficulties as soon as possible.

The issue arose during the case against a Lithuanian national who has been remanded in custody for several weeks on a charge of having around €1,000 worth of heroin for sale or supply in the Glanmire area of Cork in August.

Eddie Burke said the accused wanted to plead guilty and be sentenced, but this had not been possible because of delays in the prosecution getting directions from the DPP. “I have taken the unusual step of putting it in writing to the State that he would sign a plea of guilty in this case,” Mr Burke said.

Insp John Deasy told Judge Keane the prosecution difficulty was the delay in the forensic analysis of the drugs. “I would be very hopeful we would have that by November 10,” he said.

Mr Burke said if the case was going forward by indictment, then the sessions for that court would be commencing on Monday and the defendant did not want to have his case delayed to the point that he would miss out on the October/November sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Keane said: “The situation regarding analysis is absolutely ridiculous. The State has to get these matters sorted out as soon as possible.” She adjourned the case to November 10 and remanded the accused in continuing custody.

Ramunas Gineitis, aged 34, of no fixed address, is charged with having Diamorphine, or heroin, for sale or supply on August 11 at John O’Callaghan Park, Riverstown, Glanmire, Co Cork. It was previously alleged the street value was around €1,000.