Ecstasy trial collapses before it reaches jury

THE TRIAL of a Greystones man collapsed before it reached the jury at Wicklow Circuit Court last week.

Paul Johnson ( 29), 113 Charlesland Court, was charged with the unlawful possession of ecstasy and possession of ecstasy with the intention of sale or supply at Sydney house, Herbert Road, Bray on September 26, 2012.

The case was due to start last Tuesday and a jury had been selected to hear the case.

However, Ed Sweetman, BL, acting for Johnson made a lengthy submission to Judge Michael O'Shea in the absence of the jury before any evidence was heard regarding the validity of the search warrants that were used in the case.

Following extensive legal argument, Judge O'Shea ruled in favour of Mr. Sweetman and on Wednesday afternoon told the jury that the case wasn't progressing.

He said there had been a ‘ substantial legal issues regarding the search warrants on which the case would stand or fall'.

He said he had ruled in favour of Johnson and as a result it was ‘ very difficult for the case to proceed'.

State prosecutor Paul Murray, BL, said he had been instructed by the Director of Public Prosecutions to enter noelle prosequi ( do not prosecute) and Judge O'Shea told the jury this meant the case would not be proceeding.