Dublin courts sit in reduced capacity as barristers undertake industrial action

Eimear Dodd and David O'Sullivan

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sat in a reduced capacity on Tuesday due to barristers’ industrial action.

The court sat as usual at 10.30am, with all business completed by 10.45am.

All 22 cases listed for hearing before Judge Orla Crowe in Court 5 were adjourned to future court dates. These included six cases due to be sentenced, which were put back to upcoming court dates in November.

Judge Crowe directed the solicitor representing the Director of Public Prosecutions to notify defence counsel of these upcoming dates.

The normally busy courtroom was very quiet, with the benches reserved for barristers and solicitors both empty.

Several accused people were present during the short sitting, but the public gallery was mostly empty.

One accused who is in custody told Judge Crowe he was due to be sentenced on Tuesday by the District Court and asked if his case could be adjourned to Thursday. Judge Crowe agreed to this request “in the circumstances”.

Four cases listed for trial before Dublin Circuit Court were adjourned to Wednesday.

The Central Criminal Court is not sitting on Tuesday.