Legal history was made yesterday when five separate murder cases were being tried simultaneously for the first time. Four of the trials are at the Central Criminal Court and the other is at the Special Criminal Court.
Four High Court judges are hearing cases in the Central Criminal Court. The ongoing trials include that of Mrs Catherine Nevin, who is accused of murdering her publican husband. Two of those on trial are from Co Limerick and another is from Co Cavan.
The murder trial at the Special Criminal Court involves a Belfast man, Mr Sean "Bap" Hughes, who is accused of the capital murder of Garda Patrick Reynolds 18 years ago.
In recent months, Mr Justice Paul Carney, who administers the Central Criminal Court, has criticised the lack of judges available to deal with criminal cases.