Letterkenny solicitor raises concerns over DPP delays

A leading Donegal solicitor has hit out at delays from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in giving directions.

Mr Patsy Gallagher was speaking while addressing Letterkenny District Court on Thursday during a case of Matthew Lafferty.

Lafferty, a 35-year-old with an address at Calhame, Letterkenny, is charged with assault causing harm to Michael Mawhinney at Tesco car park in Letterkenny on July 12 last.

The accused has been remanded in custody since he first appeared in court on July 13. Lafferty appeared via video link from Castlerea Prison on Thursday.

Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that directions were not yet available.

“I can’t understand why the DPP has not given directions a month later,” Mr Gallagher said. “The case is in for directions today. This matter allegedly occurred on July 12 and it is also alleged there was evidence on Facebook as well so I can’t understand why there are no directions yet.

“You could draw a line from Dublin to Galway and forget about above it. That’s the reality.”

Mr Gallagher said there was no hospitalisation in relation to the case and asked for the State’s assistance in getting directions.

“There should be priority given - he has been in custody for a month,” Mr Gallagher said.

Sergeant Collins said a medical report was awaited.

“It is suggested that there were some relatively serious injuries from my understanding,” Sergeant Collins told the court.

Judge Deirdre Gearty remanded Lafferty in custody to appear again on August 24.

A previous court sitting heard that Lafferty has 14 previous convictions and there had been 15 bench warrants for him since 2007.

On that occasion, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham refused bail, saying that the prosecution had established a case regarding the likelihood of Lafferty reoffending and the possible interference with witnesses.