HAVING the Court of Appeal operating outside of its usual location in Dublin “brings justice closer to victims of crimes”, the Appeal Court’s historic first ever sitting in Limerick heard this past week.
Six esteemed judges at the Court of Criminal Appeal, led by Limerick native Mr Justice John Edwards, and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, were warmly welcomed to the Limerick Court Complex on Mulgrave Street on Thursday March 6, along with Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, Ms Justice Tara Burns, and Ms Justice Nuala Butler.
The six Court of Appeal judges heard evidence and delivered judgments in respect of a number of appeals against sentences previously imposed on people for sexual crimes and theft at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
Mr Justice Edwards told the court he agreed with comments by John O’Sullivan, Limerick Circuit Criminal Court State Prosecutor; Padraig Mawe, State Solicitor for Limerick City; and Darach McCarthy, solicitor and President of the Limerick Bar Association; that regionally touring the Court of Appeal “does bring justice closer to victims”.
Important Garda resources not having to be moved to Dublin for hearings, as well as victims and their families not having to travel long distances, is also considered an important factor in having the court tour outside of the nation’s capital.
John O’Sullivan, who prosecutes criminal cases at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on behalf of the State, told the six visiting judges: “We welcome you to Limerick, the first time this court has sat in the historic city of Limerick, which for the convenience of all parties concerned, particularly for the (local) victims of crime, that the court sits here.”
“I hope and expect it is the first of many visits to Limerick,” added Mr O’Sullivan.
Solicitor Darach McCarthy told the court that it was “vitally important that the administration of justice” was not only achieved but that it was seen to be achieved “so near to where the crime is committed”.
Echoing Mr O’Sullivan’s comments, Mr McCarthy said he too hoped “this will be the start of regular sittings of the (Appeal) court here in Limerick”.
On behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Limerick State Solicitor Padraig Mawe formerly welcomed the six judges to Shannonside, which was, he offered, “a historic occasion”.
Mr Justice Edwards replied: “We are somewhat taken by surprise of these warm words, which we greatly appreciate. We all regard Limerick with great affection, and I would certainly endorse the views expressed that it is a good thing that the Appeal Court does sit (outside Dublin) as it does bring justice closer to the victims.”
“We feel very welcome and we are delighted to be here, and I think this will be the first of many visits for the court … You’ll have to send us the business,” Mr Justice Edwards said.
A court services spokesman said the inaugural sitting of the Court of Appeal in Limerick meant that “the use of the now world-class facilities means that courts can reduce the need for Gardaí and other witnesses to travel and maybe have to stay in Dublin, and also reduces the need to transport prisoners to the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin”.
“The staffing of these settings are supported by the Court of Appeal office and registrars. These arrangements mean the courts are using as much of our estate of buildings as they can – and this helps the flow of cases from becoming backlogged, if the court rooms centrally are in full use.”
