Kildare judge criticises State lab over drug test delays
Forensic Science Ireland - which provides scientific assistance to the gardaí - has come under fire from a judge.
FSI routinely analyses suspected drug finds for An Garda Síochána.
Judge Desmond Zaidan criticised the organisation at Naas District Court after hearing that no information was forthcoming to identify a likely cannabis find worth a reported €11,000.
“It is a small task to analyse cannabis. I get the same thing over and over and people are wondering why the case lists are getting longer,” Judge Zaidan said, having been told that no confirmation was available identifying the substance.
Commenting on a lack of resources he said the country is in the middle of a boom.
He said the case cannot be put back “because the State does not have a certificate.”
He added: “It should be straight forward to analyse cannabis.”
FSI staff are dealing with a five month backlog which has been attributed to a rise in the number and complexity of cases, according to The Irish times.
This caseload far exceeds per-pandemic levels and delays in analysing drugs have caused frustration in legal cases because this can mean that suspects have to spend longer times in custody.
Apart from Judge Zaidan, judges sitting elsewhere around the country have raised the issue.
Longford District Court was told it can take between 14 and 18 months to get a drug analysis certificate from FSI and this may result in come cases being struck out.
The number of cases referred to FSI sice 2918 has increased by 40% and last year the gardaí sent more than 10,000 samples to be analysed.
It has been estimated by FSI that the current backlog for drug cases amounts to about five months and according to FSI it is not unusual for it to have a backlog..
The agency is in the process of moving to new premises at Backweston, near Celbridge, which cost €400m to build.
In the meantime what are described as “cramped facilities” at Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park are being used.