Judge criticises 'triumph of bureaucracy and administration' causing delay in murder trial

Eoin Reynolds

A judge has criticised what he called the "triumph of bureaucracy and administration over actually doing something" after he was told that the Legal Aid Board would not sanction a psychiatric report until it receives a PPS number for a man facing a murder charge.

The accused was due to go on trial at the Central Criminal Court earlier this year, but his case was adjourned due to concerns about his mental health.

A barrister for the accused man on Thursday told Mr Justice Tony Hunt that initial difficulties regarding pay rates have been overcome after the Legal Aid Board indicated it would increase its pay from €120 to €300 per hour for psychiatrists' reports.

However, the barrister said a new issue had emerged that the board will no longer sanction a report without a PPS number for the accused person.

The accused's solicitor has been unable to ascertain the number.

Mr Justice Hunt said he could not "micromanage affairs between solicitors and the Legal Aid Board".

He added: "We can't have trials held up over trivialities like supplying someone's PPS number. It's a triumph of bureaucracy and administration over actually doing something."

A barrister for the State said they would do what they could to assist in discovering the accused's PPS number. Mr Justice Hunt adjourned the matter to March for an update.