More judges urged to counter threats

INTIMIDATION of witnesses could be significantly reduced by appointing more judges to cut the waiting time for murder trials, legal experts said yesterday.

The delay between a person being charged and a trial beginning - which can often last two years - gives plenty of time for witnesses to be intimidated, according to lawyers.

Liam Keane, who walked free on Monday after six witnesses denied making statements identifying him as the killer of Eric Leamy, was initially charged with murder in September, 2001, more than two years before the trial actually opened.