Court cases ‘struck out’ as gardaí sent to mind Queen

Court cases ‘struck out’ as gardaí sent to mind Queen


Superintendent Mick Murray of Westport Garda Station summed up the uncertainty and lack of resources which are afflicting Garda numbers and performance at last week’s sitting of Claremorris District Court.
A perplexed Judge Mary Devins asked him if certain gardaí ‘who were minding the Queen’ would be available for court next week, and Supt Murray admitted that there was a great deal of doubt in relation to who may or might not be available due to President Obama’s visit.
Speaking in response to Judge Devins’ query as to the whereabouts of a particular Garda last week in Claremorris District Court and her possible availability for this week, Supt Murray said candidly, “The sands are moving beneath our feet all the time. I can’t make any guarantee on where gardaí will be next week.”
The visit of Queen Elizabeth II and President Obama has received a positive reaction from the majority of the population.
However the increasing ratio of ‘strike-outs’ in the county’s District Courts rose steadily as more than 100 Mayo gardaí were sent to Cashel in Tipperary and Dublin to safeguard the Queen. A similar number are believed to have been on duty yesterday during President Obama’s twenty-four hour visit.
Four public order cases were struck out due to the absence of gardaí at Claremorris District Court while a further four similar cases were struck out at Westport District Court last Thursday.
Judge Devins said such vast personnel from the Mayo Division had been assigned to duty all over the country when prosecutions were falling by the wayside in the District Court.