Prison staffing shortages generating a backlog of court cases in Waterford
Judge Eugene O'Kelly said he intended to make a complaint to the prison services regarding their inability to facilitate probation meetings.
Staffing shortages in prisons across Ireland are leading to continuing backlogs in Waterford Circuit Court, according to Judge Eugene O’Kelly.
On a call over day when the judge liaised with barristers to assess the case readiness of defendants set to go before the Circuit Court, multiple issues arose with cases stalling due to missing probation reports.
A man in the custody of Cork Prison was without a report from the probation services. The court heard that on multiple occasions the probation services had sought to arrange an interview with the man in question, which was unable to be facilitated due to staff shortages.
Judge O’Kelly said the situation was simply “not good enough” and that the defendant’s solicitors must take up the issue with the prison authorities.
The same situation pertained to a woman in custody at Limerick Prison. Five attempts had been made by the Probation Services to meet the woman, but were unable to be facilitated by Limerick.
The court heard that the woman’s sentencing date would likely go ahead with or without the probation report on May 6, with a report from the prison governor available to be used in its stead.
A different woman, also in the custody of Limerick, had engaged positively with the probation services on February 10, but four further attempts at a follow-up were unable to be facilitated.
Judge O’Kelly remarked that it would be understandable if the probation services were unable to contact an individual on bail who could behave evasively, but a person in custody should be far easier to contact and interview.
Judge O’Kelly said he intended to make a complaint with the prison services regarding their inability to facilitate meetings for the probation service.
