The Justice Minister has confirmed that the Government has set up a second Special Criminal Court.

A Government Order back in 2004 paved the way for an extra court, and this afternoon it was brought into existence by the appointment of seven judges to its bench.

Three of the judges will come from the High Court, two from the Circuit Court and two will be District Court judges.

It was decided that a second Special Criminal Court was needed to deal with the backlog of cases.

At present, the next available date for the hearing of cases before the existing court is June 2017 - a delay of almost two years.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said, “I have been concerned at the backlog of cases in the Special Criminal Court with delays of almost two years in cases coming to trial.

"The coming into existence of a second Special Criminal Court confirms this Government’s commitment to ensure that those who commit serious crimes affecting the security of the State or certain organised crime offences will be brought swiftly to justice," she added.