FG bill to keep crime victims informed

VICTIMS of crime must be informed when offenders are released or granted bail under plans for new legislation launched yesterday.

Revealing a new bill, however, Fine Gael also unveiled plans to restrict victim impact statements or ‘ban’ their publication where unfound allegations are made against offenders.

Party leader Enda Kenny said victims of crime had no status in criminal trials. “They have become bystanders in a process that affects them in a personal way.”

He said the case of child sex abuse victim Alice McDermott was an indictment of the justice system. The Cork woman in 2007 claimed her abuser was informed — before she was — of the decision not to prosecute by the DPP.

Under the proposed bill, state agencies will be obliged by law to keep victims updated on investigations, court cases and allow them make representations on offenders’ parole and release applications. At present, only Garda directives and guidelines help inform victims.

Launching the 72-point bill, its author and Fine Gael party spokesman on children, Alan Shatter, said it also provided a recourse where victim’s rights were not respected.

He called on Government TDs to co-operate passing it into law.

Radical changes for victim impact statements were also revealed.

Victim statements in court covering garda investigation issues not used in prosecutions will be banned under the bill to protect offenders from unfounded allegations.

Parts of victim statements like Majella Holohan’s which mentioned semen found on the body of her son, Robert, would be banned from publication, admitted Fine Gael.

“There’s a need to address the circumstances that arose out of the very tragic death of Robert Holohan and the Wayne O’Donoghue case,” added Mr Shatter, who is also a solicitor.

Victim statements would also be encouraged not only by those affected by sexual or violent crimes but robberies, child trafficking and drink driving cases.

Victims groups, including Support after Homicide and One in Four, welcomed the bill which the party hope to bring before the Dáil after Easter and pass into law before the end of the year.

The bill includes plans to put the Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime, who fund support groups, on a statutory footing.

Its three-year term ends in March but the Department of Justice yesterday said it could be continued. “It’s not going to be a case where there’ll be nothing there,” said a spokesman.

Justice Minister Brian Lenihan meanwhile announced €1.33m, or a 40% increase, for organisations helping victims of crime. Up to 37 organisations last year were funded through the commission. The deadline for applications is January 31.