An indictment involving 53 charges of sexual assault and rape against a Co Carlow man has been quashed at the Central Criminal Court because of "inexcusable delay" by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Mr Justice Carney said he could not accept the reasons for delay outlined by the prosecution and found the evidence given "not credible".
He also referred to the fact that the case had featured on RTE Radio's Joe Duffy programme.
Mr Justice Carney said: "I am applying an evolving law which has come down from the Supreme Court.
"This is probably a case where the participants have a bus waiting outside, booked for Joe Duffy and Marian Finucane."
Given the circumstances and the evidence, which he did not find credible, he had to quash the indictment.
Any complaints about his decision should be made to the Supreme Court.
Mr Tom O'Connell SC, prosecuting, told the court the alleged victims were three sisters who were the defendant's nieces.
The incidents allegedly occurred between 1970 and 1980 when they were under 15. They made their first complaints to gardai in May 1993.
Following Garda investigations, a file was sent to the DPP. In October 1993 the Director of Public Prosecutions decided not to prosecute.
Det Sgt John Brophy said he could not recall the specific reasons for the decision, but he knew it was generally because of the time delay.
He told Mr Paul McDermott SC, defending, in cross-examination, he could not produce in court the Director of Public Prosecution's letter notifying him of the decision.
"They are on their way now from the Carlow Garda station," he told Mr McDermott.
He agreed with Mr McDermott that he did not notify the defendant of the Director of Public Prosecutions decision but had informed the three sisters.
Det Sgt Brophy also agreed he knew the case had been discussed on the Joe Duffy radio programme but denied knowing that the letter from the Director of Public Prosecutions had been the subject of discussion.
He said the Chief State Solicitor had decided the file should be looked at again, and in August 1997 the DPP reversed its decision not to prosecute.
Det Sgt Brophy agreed with Mr McDermott that it was seven months after the order that gardai had arrested the defendant. It took time to formulate the charges.
A trial date was then set for October 1999, but it collapsed after one witness had given her evidence.