The case against a suspended member of An Garda Síochána, accused of the possession of liquid ecstasy at a Tralee hotel almost four years ago, has been adjourned until 5 February when a date for hearing the case is to be set.
Niall O'Connor, who worked as a garda in the Tralee area until his suspension in 2021, faces two charges.
He is charged with possession a controlled drug, namely GBL (gamma-butyrolactone) at a hotel room in the Meadowlands Hotel in Tralee, Co Kerry, on 27 February 2021.
He is also charged with possession of the same drug in the same hotel room, on the same date in 2021 for sale or supply.
At a previous sitting of the court, it was alleged that Mr O'Connor had possession of between 18 to 23 doses of quantities between 0.5 to 1.5 millilitres of the drug, GLA.
At Tralee District Court in Co Kerry, Judge David Waters heard submissions from the State and from Mr O'Connor's defence lawyer Padraig O'Connell on the issue of delay in hearing the case.
Mr O'Connell argued that the delay was the fault of the State and that it is prejudicial to his client in the context of his working, his income and potential promotion as he is suspended.
However, referencing the submission and case law quoted by State solicitor Diane Reidy, Judge Waters said he did not accept that that there was prejudice in the conducting of the trial to date.
He said the delay would not impact on the hearing and the delay would not result in an unfair trial.
He adjourned the case to 5 February next at Tralee District Court, when a date for hearing the case would be set.
