A Donegal college lecturer who was the subject of a public inquiry last month in to whether he was unfit to hold office, failed to appear in court yesterday to face a number of assault charges.
A bench warrant was issued for John Riney, of Market Square, Milford, for failing to appear to answer charges of assault causing harm and a number of other assault charges at yesterday's special sitting of Letterkenny District Court.
Judge Conal Gibbons told Supt Francis Clerkin that he did not deal with any matters in the absence of the accused.
However, Judge Gibbons added: "The temptation to do so is nearly overpowering but I must resist such temptations.
"In my view it is essential of the judicial system to only hear cases when both parties appear in court."
Judge Gibbons said that he had made a decision a number of years ago that he would not deal with cases where the accused was absent.
He adjourned the case saying that Mr Riney might have been delayed in traffic and would appear later in the day.
When Mr Riney failed to appear, Judge Gibbons said: "This is a gross contempt of the court and it is totally outrageous that this man has failed to appear for the third time."
Judge Gibbons said he would issue a bench warrant "with pleasure" because of Mr Riney's failure to appear before the court.
Mr Riney has been suspended from his duties at Letterkenny Institute of Technology since April last year.
Mr Riney's imprisonment in Castlerea on October 15th, 2003 for 22 days and his arrest within the college for being in contempt of court were cited as two sources of embarrassment for the college.
The decision whether to dismiss Mr Riney from the college will be taken by Minister for Education Mary Hanafin in due course. Mr Riney has been receiving ex-gratia full pay by the Department of Education since his suspension in April 2003.