A district justice in Monaghan has announced that he will not be hearing any contested cases involving gardaí until a situation that has arisen with them is resolved.
After a behind-doors meeting with representatives of the solicitors present, Judge David Maughan said this would remain the situation until the matter was discussed with the DPP, the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice.
While unusual, this situation is not unprecedented.
Earlier this year another district justice, Judge Mary Devins in Mayo, adjourned outstanding cases when she discovered that a garda had altered a statement because he thought a young girl involved in the incident would be embarrassed by its contents.
The issue was later resolved.
It is understood that Judge Maughan believes that he was misled by a senior garda at a sitting of the District Court in Clones, Co Monaghan on September 15th.