‘Unfair’ as just 45 seconds per case in Portlaoise Court

A Judge described conditions in Portlaoise District Court as ‘grossly unfair’ to everyone in the building. 

Judge Andrew Cody made the comments before a sitting at the Courthouse where Portlaoise Circuit Court was also sitting.

He noted there were 358 cases listed and said that number was likely to rise to 370 before the end of the day. In order to deal with the volume of business, Judge Cody said it would be necessary to give each case just 45 seconds. 

“That’s not fair on anybody in this courtroom,” said Judge Cody. 

As the Circuit Court was sitting in the larger courtroom, the District Court proceedings were  being held in a smaller room.

“This courtroom is not fit for the number of people that are here at the moment,” Judge Cody said. 

He said it was “grossly unfair to everyone”.

“We are literally shovelling through cases,” said Judge Cody.  

“The sooner there is a new courthouse and an additional Judge the better,” he said. 

After assessing the list shortly after 10.30am, Judge Cody told everyone who was on the 12pm list to come back at 2pm as there was no chance of the cases being heard before lunch. 

Judge Cody had previously looked for a second Judge as he said Portlaoise District Court was one the the busiest District Courts in the country.