Appointment of additional judge will help resolve Limerick court delays
AN ADDITIONAL judge could be appointed in Limerick this year to help deal with a "significant delay" in processing cases.
Maurice Quinlivan TD highlighted the backlog in dealing with cases at a meeting of the Limerick Joint Policing Committee.
He asked gardaí if the Court Services could do anything about it.
He questioned as to why some cases, such as sexual abuse cases are taken to Dublin, instead of being heard before a court in Limerick.
“There are six courtrooms not being used most days," the Sinn Féin Deputy claimed, referencing the courthouse which opened at Mulgrave Street in 2018.
The building, which contains a 200m2 courtroom, was at the time of building, the largest courtroom in Ireland and is the primarily used for District Court sittings.
In response, Superintendent Kieran Ruane clarified it is “business as usual” but that there is a large backlog arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The delays, he stressed, are constantly assessed by the judiciary and the Court Service.
He added that for more serious crimes, which are entered into the judicial system through charge streets, there are court sittings in the city, Kilmallock and Newcastle West.
“There are indications from the Court Services that there would be a third sitting district court with a unique judge this year, which would address our delays,” Supt Ruane revealed.
Deputy Qinlivan welcomed the news from Supt Ruane, who is responsibile for the management of court files, saying that any easing of the pressure on the current courts system in Limerick is positive.
“The list is huge, so anything we can do as a JPC to help to encourage the Court Services get a brand-new building, we will do," he stated.