'Staggering number': 1,012 outstanding bench warrants in the Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Garda Division
Sinn Féin Deputy Sorca Clarke: 'This backlog of bench warrants threatens the integrity of the justice system'
New figures published in response to a recent Parliamentary Question tabled by Longford-Westmeath TD Sorca Clarke have revealed that there are 1,012 outstanding bench warrants in the Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Garda Division.
In Sligo/Leitrim Garda Division the number of outstanding bench warrants is 645, while in Meath/Westmeath and Louth/Cavan/Monaghan the number stands at 1,713 and 2,573, respectively.
Deputy Clarke, Sinn Féin’s newly appointed spokesperson on Mental Health, said: “This staggering number of bench warrants highlights a significant backlog in the execution of court orders.
“It raises critical questions about the efficiency of the local courts and justice system and the potential safety risks associated with unexecuted warrants.
“The sheer volume of outstanding cases poses massive challenges for Gardaí in areas that already have a low number of Gardaí.
“Too many areas do not have a Garda station or where they do, residents find they are only open for a few short hours a week.
“The failure to address these warrants in a timely manner sends a message that non-compliance with the law may go unchecked.
“This backlog of bench warrants threatens the integrity of the justice system and undermines public confidence in law enforcement’s ability to maintain order.
“There needs to be urgent intervention by government on this issue."
In providing the figures, Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan remarked, "The Deputy will appreciate that the execution of warrants, including bench warrants, can be impeded by persons actively seeking to evade detection and where limited identification information might be available to support enforcement.
"The data also reflects an accumulation of old bench warrants and therefore may not be a reliable indicator of the number of 'live' warrants which are actually enforceable.
"I am assured that An Garda Síochána execute warrants as expeditiously as possible, giving priority to the execution of warrants relating to serious crimes."