The Central Criminal Court
When the High Court is dealing with criminal cases, it is known as the Central Criminal Court. It tries the most serious criminal offences, such as murder and rape, which the Circuit Court cannot deal with. A judge and jury try these cases. Until recently the Court sat only in Dublin. In recent times the Court has travelled to a number of other venues including Cork, Limerick, Sligo, Waterford, Naas and Castlebar.
The Special Criminal Court
The Special Criminal Court consists of three judges sitting without a jury and mostly deals with criminal charges involving terrorist organisations, and more recently, charges relating to organised drug activities. The court was established by the Government to hear cases that the ordinary courts might be unable to deal with, because of fears of the possibility of jury intimidation. It’s establishment was provided for by The Offences Against the State Act 1939.