Witness protection programme must get legislative basis, says Rabbitte

A WITNESS Protection Programme needs to be established on a formal basis — Labour leader Pat Rabbitte yesterday urged the Government to legislate on this.

The WPP was set up in response to the intimidation of witnesses by suspected serious criminals.

The programme has worked on a informal basis since it was established 10 years ago.

Witnesses, including former accomplices, are placed under 24-hour armed protection in Ireland.

After their services are no longer required for prosecutions, witnesses and their family are resettled abroad and given a new identity.

Mr Rabbitte said there was an urgent need to give the programme a legislative basis given the threat posed by organised crime, which resulted in 26 gun murders in 2006.

“The capacity of the Garda Síochána to combat organised crime is increasingly dependent upon the co-operation of former criminal gang members who give evidence for the prosecution. The Witness Protection Programme is essential for the safety of persons who have engaged in organised crime, but are now prepared to give evidence against their partners in crime,” he said.

He said the WPP was also crucial for innocent witnesses, who are often coerced into silence.

He said the Supreme Court had ruled there was no reason in law why the State could not establish the WPP, but said the terms of the programme had to be clearly set out.

The Labour leader attacked the failure of Tánaiste and Justice Minister Michael McDowell to act in the matter.

A spokesman for the Tánaiste said he had asked the Garda Inspectorate to review the scheme and examine whether further statutory provisions were necessary.

nWitness Protection Programme budget. 2005: €540,000. 2006: €1.1 million. 2007: €1.2m.