Appeal over delay in trial for drink-driving

A man who was charged with drink-driving on a date in December 2002 and whose trial is set for May next year has secured leave…

A man who was charged with drink-driving on a date in December 2002 and whose trial is set for May next year has secured leave to take High Court proceedings restraining his prosecution on grounds of the delay in prosecution of the offence.

A number of other people facing drink-driving charges have also secured leave in recent weeks to take proceedings to restrain their prosecutions on grounds of delay in prosecution.

In the High Court yesterday, Mr Justice Abbott granted leave to Mr Paul Burns SC, with Mr Justin McQuade, to seek an order restraining the prosecution of Mr Stephen Walker.

Mr Walker, of Delaford Drive, Knocklyon, Dublin, is charged with drink-driving and with having no driving licence or insurance on December 13th, 2002.

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His case has been listed for hearing on May 6th, 2005.

Mr Walker claims that neither the DPP nor the court system identify and "fast-track" re-issued summons cases in order to ensure a speedy trial.

Mary Carolan

Mary Carolan

Mary Carolan is the Legal Affairs Correspondent of the Irish Times