Judge pessimistic about second Special Criminal Court

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Mr Justice Paul Butler said on 19 January 2016 that he was increasingly pessimistic a second Special Criminal Court would be established, during an adjournment at the existing Special Criminal Court in Dublin.

The proposed court was intended to address a backlog, after the Government announced its establishment in October amid concern about delays of almost two years. Seven serving judges had been appointed to its bench, but legislation enabling the court had not yet been brought into operation.

The case of Mayo brothers Colin Mannion and Brian Mannion, who faced alleged IRA membership and explosives offences, was listed for mention again on 26 January 2016, when a trial date might be fixed.

This report covers an earlier stage of the case. Later developments are not reported here.