Having considered all relevant Public Health Guidance, the advice from NPHET concerning the current and projected figures for Covid-19 infection in the community and all issues that touch upon the administration of justice in the context of criminal trials, it has been decided that trials in the Central Criminal Court will resume on the 6th April 2021. The safety of continuing with such trials will be reviewed on a weekly basis.
Juries will be empanelled and trials conducted in strict compliance with all current Public Health Guidance and the Court’s own Directions on face coverings. The presiding judge will have full discretion to postpone or cancel any proceeding if he or she considers that the continuance of the proceedings would place those in attendance at any undue risk of Covid-19 infection
The following work will also continue as normal, subject to weekly review and strict compliance with Public Health Guidance and the Court’s own Directions on face coverings.
- Sentencing hearings;
- Pre-trial disclosure and case management hearings.
Special Criminal Court.
Trials involving no more than one accused recommenced with effect from the 1st March 2021. These trials are being conducted in strict compliance with all current Public Health Guidance and the Court’s own Directions on face coverings The presiding judge has full discretion to postpone or cancel any proceeding if he or she considers that the continuance of the proceedings would place those in attendance at any undue risk of Covid-19 infection.
Mary Irvine