Laois gardaí ‘tied up with administrative duties’, court hears
Portlaoise Courthouse
GARDAÍ failed to provide a defendant with any or all evidence relating to an alleged drink-driving charge because “they were tied up with administrative duties”.
The issue arose at last week’s sitting of Portlaoise District Court when a local man was charged with drink-driving.
When the case was called, defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that she was unable to proceed with the case because her office had received ‘discovery’(garda evidence/material) four days past its due date.
Ms Fitzpatrick was representing 68-year-old Maurice O’Connor, 13 Woodview, Stradbally, who is charged with drink-driving on 10 November last at Timahoe Road, Stradbally.
Asked by Judge Susan Fay why gardaí had delayed supplying the defence with the documentation, Sergeant JJ Kirby said: “Guards were tied up with administrative duties. They are not going out on the streets and they are under severe pressure.” Judge Fay went on to adjourn the matter to 15 May to allow time for Mr O’Connor to decide whether he wished to plead guilty to the offence or to set a date for a full hearing of the case.
