Deputy John Deasy is calling for a permanent District Court judge to be appointed in Waterford. There has not been a permanent judge appointed in Waterford for almost a year now. The area concerned covers Waterford City, Tramore and much of the eastern part of the county. Deputy Deasy said: "I believe it is the only urban centre in the country where there is not a permanently appointed judge. This has been pointed out to me by senior Garda officers, solicitors and barristers in the Waterford area for some time. To have a permanent District Court judge is a critical appointment when you're taking on local criminals. A judge needs to be familiar with the local scene, particularly individuals involved in repeat offending. At present there is no continuity on the bench in Waterford."

Deasy said: "I did receive a response from the Minister for Justice indicating that an appointment would be made at some point in the future. It needs to be done as a matter of urgency. Waterford has faced an extremely difficult policing period over the last year and what hasn't helped is the lack of a permanent District Court judge".

"From a practical standpoint, it's an unworkable system for the Gardaí on a day-to-day basis. Gardaí in Waterford have needed to go to places like Wicklow, Carlow, North Tipperary and Dublin to obtain a signed warrant from a judge in order to search a premises."