No judge available for special district court sitting in Limerick
Apology as contested cases are adjourned for six months
A SPECIALLY organised district court sitting to deal with contested cases was cancelled at short notice as there was no available judge.
At Limerick District Court in Mulgrave Street on Friday, June 7, Judge Patricia Harney said she wanted to apologise that the hearing list for Monday, June 10 in court five had been cancelled.
“I have made representations to the (court) president’s office. I am advised that it is due to the non-availability of a judge. It is very disappointing because we all thought that the additional appointment of eight judges would mean that this would not happen again.
“I want to apologise unreservedly to the 25 people who have been discommoded by this matter and to the gardai, support services and practitioners,” said Judge Harney.
The special court list of contested cases was adjourned to December 9, next. Judge Harney noted this is in six months time and is “a very, very unsatisfactory state of affairs”.
The Limerick Leader / Limerick Live sent a query to The Courts Service and a response is awaited.
When contacted about Judge Harney's comments and the cancellation of the special court sitting, Julianne Kiely, president of the Limerick Solicitors Bar Association, said: “We have a state-of-the-art, multi-million euro complex with six available courtrooms. Limerick is the third busiest jurisdiction in Ireland.
“It is disappointing and unsatisfactory that the resources in terms of staffing and judges don't appear to be available. It is unfortunately, again, a disappointment for Limerick. It’s a very busy jurisdiction and we all want to get on with the business of the court.”