No fair trials under new law, says group

A FUNDAMENTAL right of a defendant - to challenge the evidence of a prosecution witness - would be removed if a controversial proposal is introduced by the Government, it was warned yesterday.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell said he was considering allowing courts to accept as evidence signed statements made by witnesses who subsequently change their story in court - in line with a legal precedent in Canada. The move follows the dramatic collapse of the Liam Keane murder trial on Monday.

“It is essential to the criminal justice system that you have to be able to challenge evidence. If you can’t you’re not getting a fair trial,” said Aisling Reidy of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL).