Ireland Case No. 10887Possession of a controlled drug (alleged cocaine) · Co. Offaly · 27 Oct 2022
High Court upholds dismissal of drug possession charge against Kilcormac man
Richard Davis, a 25-year-old man from Kilcormac, Offaly, was charged with allegedly possessing cocaine at his residence in St Cormac's Park on 27 October 2022, after a garda seized a suspected substance during a search. In October 2023 District Court Judge Andrew Cody dismissed the charge. The DPP brought a case stated appeal, and on 20 February 2026 the High Court disallowed the appeal and said the acquittal stands.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Acquitted20 Feb
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Richard Davis, a 25-year-old man from Kilcormac, was charged with allegedly possessing cocaine at his residence.
- Where
- The alleged possession took place at Richard Davis's residence in St Cormac's Park, Offaly.
- When
- The alleged possession took place on 27 October 2022.
- Investigation
- A garda obtained four search warrants on 26 October 2022, and four houses were searched the following day.
- Garda Diarmaid Loughnane found a suspected substance at the closing stages of the search and seized it.
- In court
- In October 2023 Judge Andrew Cody dismissed the charge, and the sources differ on his reasoning: one says he ruled the search and seizure illegal, while the High Court said he erred in concluding the charge should automatically be dismissed because the search was unlawful.
- The judge's decision turned on the meaning of 'accompanied by', which Mr Justice Michael P O'Higgins said should be given its plain meaning.
- The DPP brought a case stated appeal against the October 2023 decision.
- On 20 February 2026 the High Court ruled that the District Court judge in Offaly was correct to dismiss the prosecution, disallowed the DPP's appeal and said the acquittal stands.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whereThe alleged possession took place at Richard Davis's residence in St Cormac's Park. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe alleged possession took place on October 27, 2022. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationA garda obtained four search warrants on October 26, 2022, and four houses were searched the following day. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGarda Diarmaid Loughnane found a suspected substance at the closing stages of the search and seized it. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeRichard Davis was charged with allegedly possessing cocaine at his residence. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe High Court ruled that the District Court judge in Offaly was correct to dismiss a drug possession prosecution against a Kilcormac man. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe DPP brought a case stated appeal against Judge Andrew Cody's October 2023 decision. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Cody ruled that the search and seizure was illegal and dismissed the prosecution against Mr Davis. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtMr Justice Michael P O'Higgins said the phrase 'accompanied by' should be given its plain meaning. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe High Court disallowed the DPP's appeal and said the acquittal stands. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe High Court said Judge Cody erred in concluding that the charge should automatically be dismissed because the search was unlawful. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Feb2026High Court upholds judge's decision in early morning Offaly house search
Reports the High Court ruling on the DPP's case stated appeal in a case where Judge Andrew Cody dismissed the charge in October 2023. The High Court disallowed the appeal and said the acquittal stands. The article is not a follow-up to any existing case in the list.
accused, Richard Davis, 25, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Davis