New report identifies various factors contributing to long wait lists, including a ‘culture of last minute-ism’ by overstretched lawyers
Some saw a 'silver lining' to the pandemic as it forced courts to quickly adapt by adopting new technology, such as video conferencing. Photograph: Frank Millerpandemic had a devastating impact on wait times for the prosecution of sexual offences, according to a new report for the Department of Justice.
Despite the fact that “everybody put their shoulder to the wheel”, judges were pessimistic of the waiting times being reduced, the report states.European Election: Mick Wallace loses out as Kathleen Funchion , Michael McNamara and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú win final seats in Ireland SouthRoaring rural TDs came looking for Dáil insults and Simon Harris didn’t let them down
Other stakeholders described how Covid-19 had caused serious delays in the pretrial stage. Gardaí said there was a shortage of child specialist interviewers as specialist garda training was halted during the pandemic.Some saw a “silver lining” to the pandemic as it forced courts to quickly adapt by adopting new technology, such as video conferencing, “which had the potential to help the system become more efficient in future”.
All 73 stakeholders who were interviewed said delays in the prosecution of sexual assault allegations were a serious problem, with “a lack of investment in and under-resourcing of the criminal justice system” identified as the main cause.
Covid-19 Director-Of-Public-Prosecutions
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