OVERLOAD: 11,000 cases lodged at Kildare court in three months

Some 11,000 cases were lodged for hearing at Naas District Court during a three month period.

By contrast there were about 10 cases listed a week in 1950.

However, there was a single judge sitting in the district court area in 1950 -  and there  is still just a single judge in place.

This was pointed out by Judge Desmond Zaidan as he dealt with a case which he had to adjourn.

A defendant turned up in court along with his solicitor and it emerged that the man no longer wanted that lawyer to represent him. The lawyer said he wanted to withdraw from the case.

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The case had been listed a number of times previously to the frustration of a woman who also appeared and told Judge Zaidan that she has been in court a few times and on each occasion she had to arrange childcare.

She told the judge she is frustrated and was hoping that the case would proceed that day.

Judge Zaidan told her he understood her frustration but a new legal representative needed to be appointed to deal with the man’s case and if this was not done the result would likely be successfully appealed.

“I have 300 cases here today; I may not finish the list and the cases will be adjourned for six or eight months," Judge Zaidan told her.

Referring to the man he said, “he’s sacked his lawyer at the last minute.”

He adjourned the case telling the man the case would go ahead on date and asking if he understood this.

“I understand it will go ahead,” the man replied.