The Supreme Court has ruled that a lower court judge was entitled to order the DPP to pay the legal costs of two men whose prosecutions for alleged assault were discontinued mid-trial.
The ruling relates to a matter that first came before the courts over 12 years ago. On April 28th 2009 John Matthews, a wildlife ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife Service was involved in an altercation with Gerard Gearty at Cloonart near Roosky, in Co Roscommon.
As a result of complaints made, both men were subsequently prosecuted for assault by the gardaí, acting for the DPP, before the District Court in Leitrim .
However, on the second day of the hearing, before Judge Elizabeth McGrath, the DPP directed that both prosecutions be withdrawn.
At the District Court Mr Matthews’ solicitor, Mr Gabriel Toolan, asked the court to continue with the cases, or adjourn the cases to allow the DPP provide reasons for its decision.
Read the full article in the Irish Times here