Irish Paralympic bronze medalist James Brown has been found guilty of a doping violation by Sport Ireland and has been banned from cycling for two and a half years. 

Sport Ireland, alongside Cycling Ireland, confirmed that he had committed a violation of Article 2.3 of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules – "Evading Sample collection, or without compelling justification, refusing or failing to submit to Sample collection after notification as authorised under these Rules or other anti-doping rules".

In a statement today they said: "Mr Brown promptly admitted the violation and pursuant to Articles 7.6.3 and 7.6.4 of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules he engaged in a consultation process with Sport Ireland regarding the appropriate period of ineligibility.

"In accordance with Article 10.5.3 of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules, Sport Ireland consulted with WADA and the period of ineligibility of 4 years which would otherwise have been applicable was reduced to 2 years and six months based on Mr Brown's degree of fault and the seriousness of the violation. The period of ineligibility commenced on the 24th February 2016 and will expire on 23rd August 2018."

Brown and his pilot Damien Shaw clinched bronze four years ago at the London Paralympic Games in the tandem road time trial.