Judge forgives absence of garda witness as 'one of greatest statesmen of our time' needs protecting

A judge has refused to dismiss a minor road traffic case because the key Garda witness has been seconded as part of the security detail for the visit of US President Donald Trump.

In what may have been a light hearted moment Judge James McNulty, hearing the case in Clonakilty District Court, said: “This is exceptional — we have one of the greatest statesmen of our time visiting our shores at this time. That necessitates protecting him and that necessitates the key witness not being here.”