Due to the imposition of the current Covid-19 level 5 restrictions and the advice from NPHET concerning the projected rate of infection in the community it is not possible to give any definitive date as to when criminal jury trials can safely be recommenced. The situation will be reviewed again on 15th March 2021. Updated notices will thereafter appear in the Legal Diary and on the Courts Service Website.
The following work will continue as normal, subject to weekly review and strict compliance with public health guidance and the Court’s own guidance on face coverings.
- Sentencing hearings;
- Pre-trial disclosure and case management hearings.
Special Criminal Court.
Having regard to the advice from NPHET concerning the projected rate of infection in the community over the coming weeks, the safety measures in place in the Courts of Criminal Justice and the fact that trials before the Special Criminal Court do not involve juries, it has been decided to recommence trials in the Special Criminal Court with effect from 1st March next. Trials will be limited to those with only one accused to minimise the numbers in attendance on any given day and will be subject to compliance with all current Public Health Guidance and the Court’s own Directions. The presiding judge shall have full discretion to postpone or cancel any proceeding if he or she considers that the continuance of the proceedings would place those in attendance at any undue risk of Covid-19 infection.
Mary Irvine
23rd February 2021.