Special Criminal Court has caseload backlog of two years

The courts service has issued an update on the caseload of the Special Criminal Court which shows it has a backlog of over two years.

The next available trial date before the non-jury court is in the spring of 2018.

The courts service has said the backlog is due to cases which have taken longer than expected to hear.

There are currently 30 cases awaiting trial with 42 defendants.

The majority of charges relate to membership of an illegal organisation as well as firearms and explosives offensives.