Judge says he may seek arrest of court translator over non appearance

The sitting County Kildare district court judge said he might consider issuing a warrant for the arrest of a translator - after one failed to appear for a case hearing.

Judge Desmond Zaidan criticised the absence of a translator for a case concerning the death of a 10 year old boy in a road accident in west Kildare.

Kedagh Moore, 16, who was from Graigues, Robertstown, died after being struck by a vehicle on the R403 in Blackwood, near Robertstown in the early hours of Sunday November 10.

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Marin Silaghi, 40, whose address was given as Ballybrittas, Portlaoise, Co Laois, initially appeared before Athy District Court on November 12 where Garda Mark Ryan said he was being charged with failing to stop at the scene. 

When told an interpreter was not immediately available Judge Zaidan criticising the Court Service for giving a contract to an organisation that sometimes failed to provide an interpreter when requested.

“This has happened before. It's so wrong; maybe I should issue a warrant for arrest,” the judge said, asking “What is wrong with the State ?.”

He pointed out that a boy had died in an accident and a person had been charged in relation to this. The judge also pointed out he had been told that the defendant had been in Ireland for only a short time prior to the accident.

He said the court is being let down when a translator does not turn up. He commented that there are so many people of Romanian origin in Ireland it might be easier to find someone who could translate on the street.

He added the defending solicitor Tim Kennelly is doing his best for the defendant but the hearing requires a translator. Mr Kennelly said he had consulted with the defendant the previous Saturday and said “his English is very limited.”

Mr Kennelly said the defendant had been denied bail in the district court and subsequently in the high court and the latter decision is being appealed.

A translator appeared later in court and the hearing resumed with Sgt Mary Meade telling the court that the case was not ready to proceed.

She said sixty statements have been taken and some investigators have completed their work but a file is awaited. The sergeant said while progress is being made the preparation of a file is “difficult and complex work.”

The judge declined an application to strike the matter out because the case is of relatively recent origin and an investigation takes time adding “it takes time to investigate the death of a human being.”

Judge Zaidan granted free legal aid and certified for the provision of a translator for any court hearing or legal consultation.

He adjourned the matter to December 17.