NI: Judge threatens to throw out attempted murder case over PPS delays

NI: Judge threatens to throw out attempted murder case over PPS delays

A judge has threatened to strike out an attempted murder and firearms case over Public Prosecution Service (PPS) delays.

Moneymore man David Colgan, 23, was arrested in July 2018 in connection with the shooting of Malachi Coleman in March 2018.

He has been charged with attempted murder and possessing a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

A committal hearing to transfer the case to Crown Court for trial has been postponed twice because prosecutors said they were not prepared to go ahead, The Irish News reports.

Speaking in Dungannon Magistrates Court on Friday, District Judge John Meehan said: “This is like a stone skipping over the water. The court has to be able to rely on the professional services of the PPS to be kept alert to what is going on. There has been inordinate delay.

“The PPS will have a definitive decision on whether they can mount a committal on the next occasion. If they can’t the case will be struck out.”

The case has been adjourned until 30 August.

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