The cases include those of a man who punched and choked his former partner and a man who kicked, punched and struck his dog with the butt of his shotgun
Three men who were due to appeal their prison sentences have had their cases adjourned due to the fuel protests.
The appeals were about to be called at the County Court in Antrim when defence counsel Neil Moore highlighted that if the appeals failed, the prison van could get stuck at Nutts Corner on its way to HMP Maghaberry.
“I am in no way prejudging your mindset,” he told Judge Sandra Crawford but added that “the roundabout at Nutts Corner, if not already closed, could be closed” by the time the cases are dealt with.
That meant if the appeals were unsuccessful, the prison staff and the defendants “would have the unenviable situation” of being stuck for an unknown length of time, the barrister told the court.
The three appeals against sentence included the case of a man who punched and choked his former partner, a man who kicked, punched and struck his dog with the butt of his shotgun and a third defendant who assaulted his partner and damaged her property.
Mr Moore said that having spoken to court staff and the prosecution, suggested dates had been identified for each of the cases to be slotted in.
Judge Crawford said, given that the situation over the fuel protests has “now crystallised,” she agreed with Mr Moore and adjourned the three cases.
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