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22/08/2001
Live video linking for Londonderry magistrates’ court
Londonderry magistrates’ court is set to become the latest court in Northern Ireland to introduce video linking connecting it to Maghaberry Prison and the Young Offenders Centre.
The linkage, which will be introduced on Thursday August 22, follows the introduction of video linking at Belfast Magistrates’ Court and the High Court last year, and the recent extension of the project to Lisburn, Ballymena and Coleraine Magistrates’ Courts.
Currently there are approximately 40 court productions per month from prisons in Northern Ireland to Londonderry Magistrates’ Court. The new system will see all second and subsequent pre-trial hearings and bail applications for prisoners in Maghaberry and the Young Offenders Centre conducted by video link – without the prisoner leaving the prison.
As well as reducing the need for defendants to travel to court for short hearings, the system can also be used for confidential legal consultations.
Such is the success of the project that it has attracted the full support of HM Treasury which awarded the Northern Ireland Prison Service an additional £500,000 per year for the next three years to develop video links further to include all Prison Service locations and up to ten courts throughout Northern Ireland.
Since video linking was first introduced in August 1999, nearly 14,000 court hearings and legal consultations have been conducted via the technique. (MB)
The linkage, which will be introduced on Thursday August 22, follows the introduction of video linking at Belfast Magistrates’ Court and the High Court last year, and the recent extension of the project to Lisburn, Ballymena and Coleraine Magistrates’ Courts.
Currently there are approximately 40 court productions per month from prisons in Northern Ireland to Londonderry Magistrates’ Court. The new system will see all second and subsequent pre-trial hearings and bail applications for prisoners in Maghaberry and the Young Offenders Centre conducted by video link – without the prisoner leaving the prison.
As well as reducing the need for defendants to travel to court for short hearings, the system can also be used for confidential legal consultations.
Such is the success of the project that it has attracted the full support of HM Treasury which awarded the Northern Ireland Prison Service an additional £500,000 per year for the next three years to develop video links further to include all Prison Service locations and up to ten courts throughout Northern Ireland.
Since video linking was first introduced in August 1999, nearly 14,000 court hearings and legal consultations have been conducted via the technique. (MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
