Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 20412Drugs offence (possession for sale or supply) · Co. Laois · 28 Mar 2022

Drugs charges struck out at Portlaoise District Court over 15-month delay

Avis Rukmans, a 26-year-old man from Roscrea, Tipperary, was charged with possessing cocaine, ketamine and cannabis for sale or supply at Derreen, Durrow, Laois, on 28 March 2022. The case was delayed 15 months due to a backlog in getting samples tested and certified at the Forensic Science Laboratory. Defence counsel argued the matter had been peremptory against the State on a previous occasion. On 7 July 2023, Judge Andrew Cody at Portlaoise District Court struck out the charges, stating the Forensic Science Laboratory was not serving the State as it should.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted7 Jul
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Avis Rukmans, a 26-year-old man from Roscrea, Tipperary, was charged with possessing cocaine, ketamine and cannabis for sale or supply.
Where
The offence took place at Derreen, Durrow, Laois.
When
The offence occurred on 28 March 2022.
Investigation
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the case was delayed due to a backlog in getting samples tested and certified at the Forensic Science Laboratory.
In court
  • Defence counsel Suzanne Dooner BL argued the case had been peremptory against the State on a previous occasion but an adjournment was allowed.
  • Judge Andrew Cody noted the charges dated back to March 2022, 15 months before the hearing.
  • Judge Andrew Cody struck out the charges on 7 July 2023, stating the Forensic Science Laboratory was not serving the State as it should.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAvis Rukmans, 26, with an address at 1 Rosslands, Roscrea, Tipperary, appeared before Portlaoise District Court. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe offence took place at Derreen, Durrow. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offence occurred on 28 March 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • investigationGarda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the case had been delayed due to a backlog in getting samples tested and certified. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeHe was charged with possessing cocaine, ketamine and cannabis for sale or supply. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtDefence counsel Suzanne Dooner BL argued the case had been peremptory against the State on a previous occasion but an adjournment was allowed. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Andrew Cody noted the charges dated back to March 2022, 15 months ago. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Jul2023
    Acquittedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Laois drugs charges struck out over delay

    Reports that Judge Andrew Cody struck out the charges, stating the Forensic Science Laboratory was not serving the State as it should, after a 15-month delay in getting samples tested and certified.

    accused, Avis Rukmans, 26, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Avis Rukmans