Gareth Turnbull was cleared of the doping charge in October

The information was included in the ISC's 2006 anti-doping annual report.

The ISC report also said it would "review its rules regarding costs for athletes who successfully resist an assertion of doping".

Turnbull told the BBC that the ISC had informed him that it would pay the costs that he incurred during the case.

"We're happy that we are going to get our costs," added Turnbull, who was cleared of the doping charge in October.

The athlete added that he was "pleased" that the ISC had indicated that it would change its rules so that athletes cleared of doping offences in the future will have their defence costs reimbursed.

The wording in the ISC anti-doping report published on Thursday appears slightly vague but Turnbull's mind has clearly been put at rest after a nightmare saga which started last June when he was informed that he had tested positive for testosterone the previous September.

"The Disciplinary Panel, through a fair and robust process, found that there was a case to answer, accepted the athlete's explanation and no anti-doping violation was found," stated the report.

I was actually more depressed after the European Indoors than I had been at any stage over the last 12 months Gareth Turnbull

"The Irish Sports Council accepted the Determination in full and acknowledged the comprehensive and expert work of the Panel.

"The Council will review the Rules, in consultation with Governing Bodies of Sport, regarding costs for athletes who successfully resist an assertion of doping.

"Subject to the Rules being changed the Council will allow Mr Turnbull his costs reasonably incurred during the case, on the basis of equity and natural justice."

Turnbull is about to resume training after taking a couple of weeks off following his hugely disappointing performance at the European Indoor Championships.

"I was actually more depressed after the European Indoors than I had been at any stage over the last 12 months (with the doping charge).

"What happened with the doping charge wasn't my fault but I felt responsible for the performance in Birmingham.

"Basically, running four races in two days at the Irish Championships really wiped me out for the next two weeks and the Europeans where the performance was just ugly.

"I took some time off, went to Rome for a few days and that headed to Cheltenham."