'Something seriously wrong with the system' if drugs cannot be analysed before December — judge

Judge refuses to adjourn case until March 2027 against woman on drugs charges arising out of the alleged seizure of €20,000 worth of cannabis at Lee Road in Cork in August

Woman is charged with possession of cannabis and having the drugs for the purpose of sale or supply to others.

A District Court judge refused an application to adjourn a suspected drug-dealing case until March 2027, saying he would put it back for two months as he commented there was “something seriously wrong with the system” if the State could not forensically examine drugs in that period.

The case concerns a woman facing drugs charges arising out of the alleged seizure of €20,000 worth of cannabis at Lee Road in Cork in August. 

Maryanne Hegarty, of Ros Ard Upper, Glanmire, Co Cork, is charged with possession of cannabis and having the drugs for the purpose of sale or supply to others.

Both charges relate to the alleged seizure of €20,000 worth of cannabis at Atkins Hall, Lee Road, Cork, on August 19.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis previously said even though there were no directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions in the case, it was unlikely to be dealt with at district court level, given the amount of drugs allegedly involved.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy had asked for the adjournment until March 2027 to allow time for forensic analysis. 

However, Judge David Waters said this would be too long an adjournment and he said he would adjourn the matter until December 14. 

He then commented, “If the State cannot inspect drugs between now and December 14 there is something seriously wrong with the system, in a case where it is alleged that the quantity is €20,000.” 

Judge Waters has commented in a number of drugs cases about the amount of time taken for forensic examinations to be carried out.