Labour demands summer debate on bill

CONTROVERSIAL new crime laws allowing trial without jury of those suspected of gangland activity should not be passed until after the summer to allow a Dáil committee examine its constitutionality, the Labour Party said yesterday.

The party said it will not support the passing of all sections of the bill when the Dáil votes on it this Friday and will only do so if it is deferred until after the summer to allow more time for debate.

Justice spokesman Pat Rabbitte has expressed reservations about the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009, which legislates for the use of the Special Criminal Court in suspected organised crime cases.