A DISTRICT court judge
in Inishowen has hit out at the Director of Public
Prosecutions for granting the lower court
jurisdiction in an assault causing harm case.
Judge Desmond Zaidan sitting at Buncrana District
Court yesterday, described as "frightening" and
"scandalous" a DPP decision to let the district
court hear an assault case in which the victim
allegedly sustained a fractured skull. He refused
jurisdiction in the case.
The defendant, a young man from Clonmany, is charged
with assault causing harm, during which the alleged
victim sustained a fractured skull and lacerations
to the head.
Inspector Mick Coppinger told the court that the DPP
had instructed the Gardai that the case could be
heard in the district court "on a plea only".
However, Judge Zaidan took exception to this
instruction.
"It is scandalous that the DPP could grant
jurisdiction to the district court in a case where
the alleged injuries include a fractured skull," he
said.
"I refuse jurisdiction," he added. The case was
adjourned until October 11th, for service of the
book of evidence. |
