Arhlone Live!Roscommon Judge John Neilan is back in Court in Longford this morning after his controversial absence over the last ten days.
Stand-in Judges had to be appointed to Judge Neilan’s Midland sessions since he adjourned his sittings following a heated exchange with an Inspector from Athlone investigating the Christy Hanley case two weeks ago.
Judge John Neilan has resumed hearing cases at Longford District Court this morning for the first time in two week.
Substitute Judges had to take over sittings in Longford, Granard and Mullingar last week following recent controversy during the presentation of evidence during the Kilbeggan Murder case on the 10th of July.
Judge Neilan had accused senior Garda officers of wanting to “parade in front of the cameras”, and of wanting a remand of the accused, to a sitting in Tullamore simply as “a public relations exercise”.
Garda Inspector Jarlath Folen denied this saying they needed more time to prepare evidence.
However, at the next hearing of the Hanley case the book of evidence was not complete and Inspector Folan was not present to explain why.
This issue was raised again at Mullingar court the following week when the same inspector appeared on a separate matter.
Judge Neilan took the opportunity to ask him about the book of evidence in the Kilbeggan case and the row escalated once again.
The Justice then adjourned Mullingar District Court and did not attend Killucan District Court the following day.
The Judge is now expected to resume normal sittings and will appear in Tullamore tomorrow and in Mullingar District Court on Thursday.
