Expert group to review of criminal law

TÁNAISTE Michael McDowell last night announced a sweeping review of the criminal justice system that could remove age-old rights enjoyed by accused people at trial.

Mr McDowell revealed he is setting up an expert group to examine ways of re-balancing the criminal law to give more rights to victims.

Most of the protections and rules that will come under scrutiny have been a feature of the criminal law system for centuries.