KILDARE: About 160 cases are struck out at Naas court as delays worsen

Some 160 cases were struck out at Naas District Court as Judge Zaidan criticised arrangements being made to try to tackle the number of cases to be dealt with.

The judge has previously criticised the fact that he is the only district court judge sitting in County Kildare - despite the dramatic population growth in recent years.

He said efforts to have a special day to deal with the backlog were met with opposition by the Court Service on the grounds that the building is not always suitable.

Naas Courthouse hosts district court sittings most days every week as well as family law courts, circuit courts and, occasionally, the high court.

And while there have been soundings about plans to extend the size of the building, this has not yet happened.

The judge commented that he was not surprised that the building might not be suitable for extra sittings “because it is past its sell by date.”

He added: “If the court is not fit for purpose, it should not be open at all.”

He also said he had previously struck out cases.

“I’m being told I can’t use a special day. You couldn't make this up; I’m not surprised.”

He struck out just over 80 cases on one day and it's understood a similar number were struck out the following day. The judge said this was due to “systems failure.”

Judge Zaidan has also called for a second judge to be appointed to the area to deal with an increasing caseload as the population increases.

Once a case is struck out this does not necessarily mean the end of the matter because proceedings can be reissued.

Over two years ago the Kildare Now reported that  the Courts Service CEO Angela Denning said the building, built in 1807, will remain the key courthouse and “will be upgraded and expanded on its original site.”

This was welcomed by Kildare North Fianna Fáil TD  James Lawless, who is also chair of the Oireachtas Justice Committee.

“This is very positive news -  that current courthouse building on the main street. I was glad to hear that both the Courts Service and Kildare County Council are agreed that the court should remain in this historic building and that the courthouse will be extended and refurbished to provide additional court services in what is one of the busiest districts in the country,” said Depo Lawless, who is also a barrister working locally.

There had been speculation that the building would be shut down and a new facility built elsewhere, possibly at Millennium Park or even in another town.