Ireland: Judge warns that evidence from Google Translate is ‘hearsay’ in drink driving case

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/tipperary/news/judge-warns-that-evidence-from-google-translate-is-hearsay-in-drink-driving-case/a1531522210.html

21 Jan 2025

Judge warns that evidence from Google Translate is ‘hearsay’ in drink driving case

A District Court judge has warned that evidence obtained from a defendant by using Google Translate is ‘hearsay’ which could be challenged in court.

Boncho Asenov was disqualified from driving at Cashel District Court for a combined total of three years in relation to motoring offences. […]

Mr Asenov underwent a breath test which showed a ‘fail’ result. Garda Grogan said she had to use Google Translate to communicate with the driver. Mr Asenov was subsequently arrested and placed in the back of a garda car. […]

Judge O’Shea noted that the evidence obtained using Google Translate is ‘hearsay’ evidence, but “the accused is not here” and did not contest that evidence.

“hearing adjourned to obtain an interpreter”

https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/24868832.men-accused-producing-cannabis-ipswich-appear-court/

20^th January 2025

A hearing for two men accused of being involved in a large cannabis farm in a derelict building in Ipswich town centre has been adjourned to obtain an interpreter for them. […]

The hearing was adjourned until February 17 to allow an interpreter to attend. Both defendants are in custody. […]

PQ: 14 January 2025

https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2025-01-09.22891.h

Crown Court: Trials

Ministry of Justice written question – answered at on 14 January 2025.

Andrew Slaughter Chair, Justice Committee, Chair, Justice Committee

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what metrics determine whether a Crown Court trial is classified as ineffective.

Andrew Slaughter Chair, Justice Committee, Chair, Justice Committee

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether trials in the Crown Court starting on day two or later are classified as ineffective.

Sarah Sackman The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice

If the trial does not go ahead on the scheduled day of listing due to action or inaction by the prosecution, the defence or the court (see list of reasons in table below), and a further listing for trial is required, it is termed ‘ineffective.

[…]

Other	S3 - Defendant not produced by PECS
	W5 - No interpreter available
	Y - Outstanding cases in a Magistrates' Court
	Z - Outstanding cases in other Crown Court centre

[…]

Where a trial is not ready to go ahead, it is recorded as ineffective and listed again, either for the following day, or if not possible, for some future date agreed by the court. If the trial starts on the second day, it will then be marked as effective. However, if it is still unable to proceed on the second day, it will be marked as ineffective again.

“no Vietnamese interpreter was available”

https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/24843703.fiasco-case-six-men-arrested-bradford-cannabis-farm/

9^th January 2025

[…] In addition, no Vietnamese interpreter was available for the hearing at Bradford Crown Court.

His Honour Judge Jonathan Rose, the Recorder of Bradford and the city’s senior judge, expressed his frustration that three defendants had not been produced as arranged and that a Vietnamese interpreter was also not present. […]