Donegal judge says court cannot continue to adjourn cases to facilitate gardaí as case list doubles

Stephen Maguire

A Donegal judge has said the court system cannot continue to adjourn cases to facilitate gardaí.

Judge John Aylmer voiced his annoyance at the ongoing situation as the list of criminal cases for the current three-week Letterkenny Circuit Court sitting reached more than 200 cases.

Judge Aylmer noted that the spiralling list had more than doubled from around 100 cases in the past 18 months.

As well as a list of 212 criminal cases for the current court session, there are extensive civil cases, licensing matters, and District Court appeals to address on the list.

Addressing the court on the first day of the current sittings yesterday, he told State prosecutor Fiona Crawford that he wanted a message to go out “loud and clear” to An Garda Síochána.

Judge Aylmer said the schedule for the Circuit Court is known from October of each year.

He added that gardaí should not take holidays during sessions and that officers who aren’t present should have to take an oath in the witness box to explain why.

The judge warned of the consequences if the court was forced to adjourn cases because of the absence of gardaí.

He said: “We can’t facilitate guards in that way or we will have a list of 300 [cases].”

He said the State prosecution team should have clear instructions on cases by the start of the court term.

Judge Aylmer added: “The list is taking too long to call because you don’t know what the position is.”