Judge urges progress as Bridgend case adjourned seven times - Donegal News

Dean Beattie Bridgend case adjourned seventh time

A JUDGE has voiced concern after a Derry man’s drugs case was adjourned for a seventh time without directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Dean Beattie (33) of Glenvale Road, Derry, has been in custody since his arrest on April 18 following an incident at Mannerstown Crossroads, Bunnamayne, Bridgend, when he turned away from a Garda checkpoint. He faces charges including cannabis possession, dangerous driving, drug-driving, and no insurance or licence.

Beattie appeared before Letterkenny District Court on July 6, when Sergeant Devaney said DPP direction was imminent, adding it was “regrettable that it took so long” as the file remained with the DPP’s office.

Defence solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher raised the ongoing legal aid dispute, saying it was disgraceful that solicitors were facing criticism for “galling the system and costing the state” while the State had “the audacity to say they only got the Beattie file on June 29.” He argued the delays lay with the State, not just with “low-lying solicitors,” adding: “The Minister has said that defence solicitors are taking a hand at the State. Yet here we have a matter that has been in since April 18, and the State only sent the file on June 29.”

He said it was “a classic case” of the State dragging its feet, pointing to his client’s four months in custody, and asked that the case be marked peremptory against the State for July 13, meaning it would proceed on that date regardless of any further DPP delays.

Judge Emile Daly noted there had been six previous appearances without DPP direction. Sergeant Devaney said the case involved 16 separate matters and seven gardaí, adding to its complexity. Judge Daly responded that of 26 offences, only one, drink driving, currently sought direction, and said: “This is a classic example of how things can go wrong, and it has nothing to do with criminal defence. This is the seventh adjournment now.”

Mr Gallagher asked that the matter be heard by video link on July 13 for DPP directions. Judge Daly agreed, saying that was “as close to peremptory as I can get.”

Several other cases affected by the legal aid dispute were adjourned until September.

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