Court proceedings against a former TD, accused of drug driving, have been further adjourned, pending legal submissions in relation to the charge against him.
Colm Keaveney has been charged with driving with cocaine in his system, contrary to the Road Traffic Act.
The offences are alleged to have occurred at Cummer, Tuam, Co Galway on 12 June 2023.
At the local District Court today, a witness from the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) gave evidence in relation to tests carried out on a blood sample, provided by Mr Keaveney, after he was arrested.
Olivia Johnson told Judge James Faughnan that she was familiar with the analysis carried out on the sample in question.
She said that staff at the Bureau do not have advance indications on what they are specifically testing for.
Ms Johnson detailed how Mr Keaveney's sample had arrived at the MBRS in a sealed container, in which the blood bottle was held.
The seal was broken to allow for access to the sample, which was found to contain no trace of alcohol, when it was first tested on 16 June 2023.
Ms Johnson said the blood was then listed for toxicology testing, in line with standard practice.
She told the court that such analysis is carried out sequentially and as soon as practicable.
Mr Keaveney’s solicitor, Gearóid Geraghty, asked the witness if the sample had been placed in a sealed container, before being stored for further tests.
Ms Johnson said that while this was not the case, the blood bottle was kept in a locked fridge, in a locked laboratory, to which access was restricted.
The Court has previously heard that the drug testing involved a two stage process, which began on 3 July 2023 and was completed on 4 August. It revealed the presence of benzoylecgonine, commonly known as cocaine.
After Ms Johnson finished her evidence, Mr Geraghty indicated that he wished to make a submission in relation to the procedures around the storage of the sample.
The case has now been adjourned for a ninth time, to the end of May, when it is expected a date for hearing will be set.
Colm Keaveney was elected as a Labour Party TD for Galway East in 2011 but subsequently left the party and joined Fianna Fáil. He lost his Dáil seat in 2016 and went on to serve on Galway County Council.
He no longer holds elected office.
