Proposals ‘could help murder victims’ relatives’

THE huge burden faced by relatives of murder victims could be eased greatly if radical proposals for the overhaul of the criminal courts system are introduced, a leading pressure group claimed last night.

Victim Support warmly welcomed key proposals contained in the Fennelly Report, the most comprehensive examination of court jurisdiction since the early years of the State. Published yesterday, the report was drawn up by a working group headed by Mr Justice Nial Fennelly.

Proposals to allow Circuit Courts to hear murder cases would ease the "unholy burden" of relatives and witnesses travelling every day to Dublin during a trial, according to Lillian McGovern of Victim Support.