Eoin Ryan
Question:370 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and classes of offence triable, at the option of the prosecution, which were tried on indictment in each of the years 1996 and 1997. [15702/98]
Written Answers. - Indictable Offences.
Court statistics are not maintained in such a way as to show the number of cases which could have been dealt with summarily in the District Court but which were tried on indictment in a higher court. It is not possible to determine the number and classes of offences which are tried on indictment at the option of the prosecution.
Even in cases of indictable offences where the prosecution opts for a summary trial, either the defendant or the judge of the District Court, or both, may opt to have the case heard in a higher court. It is open to such a defendant to opt for trial by jury, and a judge of the District Court may refuse jurisdiction and refer a case for trial to a higher court.