Kildare judge frustrated by delays in certain Naas District Court cases

STRIKE-OUTS

A Kildare judge said that he was frustrated at the number of cases which end up being delayed in Naas District Court.

Judge Desmond Zaidan has been vocal about his criticism of delays in cases heard at the court, and the latest court date (Thursday, September 19) was no exception.

When one court case was due to take place in-camera (in private) before him for hearing, gardaí told the judge that they were not in a position to proceed with the case on the date in question.

Judge Zaidan struck out this case without prejudice as a result.

In the very next case, which was also heard in-camera and concerned domestic violence allegations, defending barrister Aisling Murphy told the judge that she had not yet received disclosure [of evidence] from the State, despite requesting it to be furnished to her back in April.

She added that no reason was given for why she was not yet furnished with the evidence.

As a result, Judge Zaidan said that he would strike-out the case without prejudice.

He added: "[So many of] these cases are clogging up my lists, and 50 per cent of them end up falling by the wayside!"

The judge also told Ms Murphy that the case may come back before the court at a later date.