Challenge to European DNA records

12 October 2012 Last updated at 12:42 ET

A legal challenge to the retention of DNA samples by police in Northern Ireland could have repercussions across Europe, Belfast High Court has heard.

The test case has been brought by convicted drink driver Fergus Gaughran.

His lawyers argued DNA profiles and fingerprints of those found guilty of lesser offences should not be retained.

They want a European ruling which found it was unlawful to hold samples from people arrested but later acquitted to be extended to cases like Gaughran's.

Our case is that the collection of this information and the indefinite retention on the police computer systems is unlawful

Newry-based solicitor Paul Fitzsimons predicted potentially huge consequences if the judicial review challenge succeeds.

He said: "If there is a judgment upholding our client's position it could lead to the destruction of vast amounts of police records built up in Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom and throughout Europe."

Mr Fitzsimons issued legal proceedings on behalf of Gaughran, who was stopped at a police checkpoint in Camlough, County Armagh three years ago.

Gaughran failed a breath test and was subsequently convicted and disqualified from driving for a year.

Continued here:
Challenge to European DNA records