Barristers urge review of crime bill

SOME of the country’s leading barristers have called on Justice Minister Michael McDowell to reconsider his radical anti-crime package, which he published last week.

In an open letter to the Tánaiste, 16 prosecuting and defence barristers highlighted major concerns about the far-reaching proposals and the tight two-month timeframe given for debate.

Central to their concerns are changes covering a person’s right to silence under questioning, specifically: