Green TD expresses ‘concern’ over crime bill

THE Green Party appeared at odds with its partners in government over sweeping gangland laws allowing trials without jury which are being rushed through the Dáil before it breaks for a three-month recess.

The Criminal Justice Amendment Bill 2009 will be debated again next Thursday and Friday following strong criticism yesterday from the opposition parties and civil rights groups that such significant laws were being hurried through the Dáil without proper scrutiny.

In a debate on the bill, Justice Minister Dermot Ahern denied claims the laws could be unconstitutional. He said the laws were absolutely necessary to overcome jury intimidation in gang crimes.