State solicitor: Bill will face difficulties

LIMERICK state solicitor Michael Murray said yesterday that, while very welcome, the new provisions in the Criminal Justice Bill will face difficulties.

Asked if the new law represented a good day’s work, he said: “It remains to be seen, but it is an attempt to address a very serious problem.

“And I have no doubt it will be challenged, and I have no doubt there will be difficulties ahead for this legislation. But something has got to be done and we just can’t roll over and let these people take over our city and our country.”

Mr Murray said society has been experiencing a very serious attack by criminal elements who have organised themselves in a way designed to defy the criminal law.

While there were considerable civil rights within the law, criminals have turned their noses at these as they do not like the system.

Mr Murray said: “They started intimidating witnesses, they made life uncomfortable for jurors and the contract they had with the State, they tore it up. Now the contract is being rewritten by the State on it’s terms, and I think rightly so.”

In the recent past, Mr Murray said he was very concerned at the level of intimidation of one jury, so much so that he made a report to the gardaí and asked them to investigate the matter.

In the case, he said a person was acquitted in circumstances where it was clear jury members were afraid.

Mr Murray said there was also a reluctance by a significant part of the population to do jury service, because they are uncomfortable at having to confront serious criminals in criminal cases.

He said: “While there may be no actual intimidation, the atmosphere is not conducive to these people serving on a jury.”

He said the individuals which the new legislation will deal with are “few and far between” because there are not that many of them.

“It is not going to be something to be used every day of the week.”

Meanwhile, Stephen Collins, father of murdered Limerick businessman, Roy Collins, praised the move as a very positive development.

Mr Collins said that all the promises made to him by Justice Minister Dermot Ahern had come to fruition and by July 10 when the Dáil rises everything regarding the new law will be in place.

Mr Collins: “It’s very positive now. Now you can honestly see the progress that is being made with it. To get this much through would be a major thing, a major move forward against these drug gangs. It will curtail their movements and it’s what’s needed, something strong like this is what is needed. It is definitely positive, really positive.”

Mr Collins praised the gardaí who have reviewed all security for him and his family. “We are happy with they have implemented now. We feel a lot safer.”

He said they had encountered “odd little things” of intimidation since his son’s murder, but nothing much.

Mr Collins pledged to stay in Limerick where he has a number of pub businesses. He said they were still in the grieving process and he and his family will continue to live in Limerick in his son’s memory.