Beach and forest scene backrops on prisoner video links slammed by judge in Laois

The use of beach scenes and forest backdrops during live prisoner video links was blasted by a judge sitting in Portlaoise. 

Judge Nicola Andrews described the use of a forest scene background on a video link with a defendant in Castlerea Prison as “utterly inappropriate” during a sitting of Portlaoise District Court. 

Osazuwa Ufumewen (35) of Dublin Airport Manor Hotel, Naul Road, Swords appeared on video link from Castlerea Prison with a tranquil woodland setting as a digital backdrop. 

The defendant is accused of stealing five bottles of whiskey valued at €325 from Tesco in Portlaoise on October 28, 2023 and alcohol to the value of €544.23 from Tesco in Portlaoise on August 13, 2024. 

“Can you ask the prison guard to change the backdrop,” asked Judge Andrews. 

“I don’t know what the purpose is,” said Judge Andrews, who described its use as “utterly inappropriate.”

She explained that the digital backgrounds aren’t just used in Castlerea Prison as she had seen them in use in “a few prisons where they seem to think they are of some value.” 

“We had a beach backdrop one day,” Judge Andrews revealed. 

 She asked the prison guard to relay a message to I.T “that Judge Andrews isn’t happy” about the practice. 

The defendant’s solicitor wasn’t in court and a barrister stood in for the case. 

Sgt Jason Hughes said he had a note from the last appearance indicating that the case was listed for hearing on a date on January 7. 

The judge asked that the solicitor’s firm be called and she put the case back for a second call later in the morning. 

When the case was called again a barrister asked for a hearing date. 

Judge Andrews said she was unhappy about the lack of appearance of a solicitor as she needed to know whether he had been refused bail on the charges before the court.

“I am most aggrieved that they didn’t make arrangements for this gentleman,” she remarked. 

“I need to find out from your solicitor, was he refused bail on these sheets,” Judge Andrews told the barrister. 

She adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on November 18 and reserved a date for hearing on January 7, 2025.