asked the Minister for Justice the name of each district justice appointed in the past year; the date on which each was appointed; and the number of cases heard by each to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of District Justices.
37.
The following persons were appointed as district justices in the past year on the dates shown—
|
William A. Tormey |
1/9/1969 |
|
Bernard J. Carroll |
|
|
appointed temporarily |
1/9/1969 |
|
appointed permanently |
13/2/1970 |
|
Sean Breathnach |
1/9/1969 |
|
Donal T. Kearney |
|
|
appointed temporarily |
13/2/1970 |
|
appointed permanently |
8/6/1970 |
|
John H. D. McCay |
|
|
appointed temporarily |
8/6/1970 |
|
appointed permanently |
13/7/1970 |
|
James J. O'Sullivan |
|
|
appointed temporarily for a period of one year. |
13/7/1970 |
The information requested in regard to the number of cases heard by these justices is not available and could not be procured without inquiries of a protracted nature in various district court offices throughout the country which would involve an expenditure of time of staff which would not be justified unless it were shown to me that a sufficiently good purpose would be served in supplying the information requested.
Does the Minister think it was right that one of the most junior justices in the country was appointed to what is probably one of the most serious trials we have had in this State for a long number of years? Is he further aware that this particular justice's mother is a very near friend of Deputy Neil Blaney?
It is not my function, as the Deputy knows, to assign justices to particular cases. That is done by the President of the District Court.
One would think a senior justice would have been appointed. People are beginning to ask questions.