Reserved judgment in airman case

The High Court has reserved judgment on a bid by a Defence Forces airman to prevent his proposed discharge arising from his testing…

The High Court has reserved judgment on a bid by a Defence Forces airman to prevent his proposed discharge arising from his testing positive for cannabis in a random drug test.

Airman David Rawson (21) of Carrow Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, has brought the proceedings against the Minister for Defence arising from his being subject to a random compulsory test at Casement Aerodrome on November 27th 2006.

Airman Rawson denies he was smoking cannabis and claims his testing positive was the result of his earlier being in his car with two friends who were smoking cannabis. He claims he was given no opportunity to call evidence in relation to the possibility of a false positive test from passive smoking prior to his discharge being recommended.

The Minister has denied the claims and contends the discharge is warranted and that Airman Rawson had underwent an awareness programme on drugs when he joined the Defence Forces in September 2006.

The case concluded today and Mr Justice John Hedigan reserved judgment.

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