Donegal Judge warns of tougher approach to ’change of status’ applications - Donegal Daily

A District Court judge in Donegal has said that a “different regime” will come into place in relation to ‘change of status’ applications in her courts.Judge Emi...

A District Court judge in Donegal has said that a “different regime” will come into place in relation to ‘change of status’ applications in her courts.

Judge Emile Daly was speaking at Letterkenny District Court after two applications to change status of cases were brought before her.

The two cases were due for hearing, but An Garda Siochana brought two applications to vacate that stain and have them put into a later date.

“A query will be raised on all change of status,” Judge Daly said. “I just want to put the State on notice: A different regime will apply from September onwards.”

Judge Daly is the presiding judge in District No.1 which covers Letterkenny, Buncrana, Carndonagh, Dungloe and Falcarragh District Courts. Judge Daly said that the issue is around “planning”.

The two applications before Judge Daly on Monday concerned one Garda who was off on a honeymoon and another who was off on parental leave.

A Garda Sergeant advised the court that there had been an “admin error” in this case.

Judge Daly said: “I don’t know what procedures can be set in place. What will happen is that we will have three remand dates. It has to be that way.

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“There will be strike outs of cases unless there is a reason. Where there is an unavoidable reason, that is different.

“I am only saying it now so that everyone is on notice and no-one is taken by surprise.”