Kildare judge attacks DPP's office over lack of communication

Judge Desmond Zaidan has criticised the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for failing to properly communicate with the local gardaí about the progress of cases.

The office acts on behalf of the community in the prosecution of crime.

The judge made his comments when addressing the case of a man, who is in custody and facing an allegation of making a threat to kill when the gardaí called to an address.

Sgt Dave Hanrahan told Naas District Court that he had not yet received a direction from the DPP about how to proceed with the case.

Judge Zaidan said that in many instances the case is prepared by the gardaí and then goes to the DPP and what follows is “total silence.”

He said the gardaí should be told  that the file has not been processed and if possible to give some indication about when progress can be expected.

He said that this case revolves around a serious allegation and said that if he adjourned the case the gardaí might not have any further information come the adjourned date.

Solicitor Joe Coonan pointed out that the man had been in custody almost three months and he was seeking that the case be struck out.

The court also heard that the man had been refused bail in the High Court.

Judge Zaidan said he would not strike it out but indicated that this is likely to happen on the adjourned date, if no progress is resorted.

He pointed out that if the addition or the withdrawal of charges is the issue then this can be done at any time up to the trial date.

He also pointed out that in courts outside Dublin the State is not represented by a solicitor, which he said places additional pressure on gardaí fulfilling this role.

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