Northern Ireland's Justice System Spends £250k on 91 Languages

0:00It's April 1st. Welcome to Europe News Today, powered by AI and covering Europe in real time. Northern Ireland's Department of Justice shells out over 250,000 pounds a year for translation services in nearly 100 languages for folks in the criminal justice system who don't speak English. That's part of their duty under the European Convention on Human Rights, ensuring everyone charged, gets info in a language they understand. As 2020, they've covered 91 languages, racking up more than 1 million pounds total. Costs jump from 183,000 pounds a year before to 256,000 in the latest full year. They share the bill with police, courts, and prosecutors. Police cover first appearances, then it's split after that. The minister revealed this in response to a question from a DUP lawmaker, including a full list of those languages. You'll find big ones like Arabic, Mandarin, and Spanish, but also rare dialects such as Chintidim for Myanmar, Badini Kurdish, and Mauritian, Creole.

1:03No Irish on the list though, even after the UK scrapped its 300-year ban on non-English and courts last year. Take last September in Ballymina Court, a 39-year-old guy wanted his speeding case in Irish, but the judge shut it down, calling it a waste of. Public money and denying an interpreter. This must provide help only if someone can't handle English at all. Guidelines for Irish and hearings have been rolled out yet, so the department's still figuring that out while footing bills for everyone else. Use the system fair, but questions linger on where the line gets drawn.