Homicide charge bail decisions ‘horrify’ gardaí

GARDA representatives yesterday said it was “horrifying” so many people charged with homicide offences and assaults were being released on bail by judges.

Middle-ranking officers called on judges to listen to gardaí when making applications for bail to be refused. The comments follow the publication of official figures which show a fifth of people charged with a homicide offence, and a quarter of those charged with serious assaults, were given bail.

“It’s horrifying to think that people who may be capable of homicides and assaults and drugs offences can be granted bail with the possibility of re-offending while on bail,” said a spokesman for the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI).