County registrar loses staffing battle

The officer appointed to run the circuit court office in Co Kerry has lost a High Court challenge over the alleged failure of the Courts Service to provide him with replacements for key staff who have retired.

The chief executive of the Courts Service has the power to decide the number and grade of staff assignedto Kerry County registrar Padraig Burke’s office in Tralee, Mr Justice John Hedigan ruled yesterday.

Mr Burke, who is also the county sheriff and returning officer for elections, said he was being seriously impeded in the discharge of his functions by the failure to address his staffing concerns.