Over 40% of District Court Orders in north Donegal and over 50% in Leitrim/Sligo/South Donegal are struck out, a new investigation has revealed.
RTÉ Investigates last night examined Ireland’s District Court system, uncovering the ‘chaotic’ nature of the institution.
Over the past six months, researchers found that 40.2% of all offenses in Buncrana, Carndonagh, An Clochán Liath, An Fál Carrach, Na Gleannta, Letterkenny courts were struck out, 1.7% resulted in imprisonment/detention and 21.7% resulted in a fine.
Results of cases in District 1 – Image via RTE Investigates
In District 2, including Ballyshannon, Carrick on Shannon, Donegal, Manorhamilton, Sligo, Tubbercurry, 50.2% orders were struck out, 2.1% resulted in imprisonment/detention, 19.9% resulted in the imposition of a fine.
Results of cases in District 2 – Image via RTE Investigates
The documentary also showed how crime committed by people on bail is a very significant problem across Ireland – an average of 2,000 crimes each month are committed by people on bail.
The failure to serve summons was another major issue, identified as ‘one of the most significant failures of our justice system.’ Some 27% of summons for all crimes in Ireland were not served to offenders in 2016, an improvement on 43% in 2015. Of these cases, 972 were drink-driving orders were the summons was not served.
The programme revealed that just 48% of drink driving cases resulted in convictions, despite drivers being measured as intoxicated.
An interactive map is available with a breakdown of the all-Ireland research on district court sittings here: www.rte.ie/iu/courts
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