I think Mr Walsh was trying to deflect publication of what he knew was coming up, when he gave his little court steps spiel about a clairvoyant and a 99 year old witness (releasing evidence).
He had already arranged for Dawson to go into the police station after his not guilty plea and be arrested and bailed on historical charges. Probably was hoping he could sneak Dawson in and out with no fuss, and that maybe the press wouldn't catch wind of the historical charges so quickly and blast them all over their MSM pages.
Maybe hoping that the evidence he released on the court steps about the murder trial would take precedence in the MSM publications, as the journos rushed back to get that story out. (Weak story that it is.)
It is all about manoeuvering and manipulation with these people. imo
I do wonder if, had Dawson pled guilty to the murder, so saving the public purse of time and money, doing the decent and honorable thing, if the DPP would have held off with the extra charges.... but no. . Go right ahead, Dawson, I'll see your not guilty and raise you Carnal Knowledge of a minor.
It is heartening to see the DPP in the game after 30 years of piffle and bumble about Lynn's murder.