Calls for second non-jury court to be temporary

A leading criminal barrister has said the creation of a second non-jury court was a “reasonable response” to tackling the 20-month waiting list at the existing Special Criminal Court.

But Michael O’Higgins, SC, said he hoped it would not become a “permanent feature” and said the necessity of a second court had to be kept under “constant review”.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) said the Special Criminal Court was already in “violation of Ireland’s international legal obligations” and strongly objected to a second non-jury court.