Call for legal access during garda interviews

PEOPLE held in garda custody for extended periods should be allowed access to a lawyer when they are being questioned, the Irish Council of Civil Liberties (ICCL) said yesterday.

The group was repeating its concerns about key provisions of the Criminal Justice Bill, 2003, which will be presented to the Dáil tomorrow by Justice Minister Michael McDowell.

Mr McDowell has signalled his intention to use the legislation to bolster gardaí’s powers of criminal investigation, and has suggested extending the period of detention from 12 hours to 24 in some cases.