Bailed suspects commit fifteen murders

FIFTEEN murders have been committed in the past two years where the prime suspect was out on bail, according to newly released crime statistics.

The revelation will fuel growing calls from victim support groups for a root and branch review of bail law and practices.

According to the figures, released to, and published by, Fine Gael, crimes between 2008 and March 2010 where the chief suspect was out on bail include:

* 15 murders.

* 47 sexual offences.

* 1,681 car theft offences.

* 508 robberies from the person.

* 122 aggravated burglaries.

* 70 murder threats.

* 117 firearm possessions.

According to Fine Gael justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan, the grim figures show bail laws are not working. “It is clear that the law is not operating as effectively as possible and nothing has been done. The reality is that people released on bail are going to commit serious crimes, despite the fact that their potential to commit such an offence is the very yardstick used when deciding whether or not to grant them bail.

“Put simply, Ireland’s bail law is not protecting Irish citizens. Dangerous criminals under investigation are being re-released into society and in some cases go on to kill people. Unless the standard is raised in regard to who is let out on bail, the level of bail crime will continue to tear at the fabric of our communities,” he said.

Mr Flanagan said there was evidence serious crime was occurring as a result of criminals being let out on bail for other offences.

Meanwhile, AdVIC, the advocacy group for families of murder victims, called for laws to be introduced to stop people accused of murder being granted bail.

AdVIC has made a number of recommendations to Justice Minister Dermot Ahern. These include:

* Holding a public consultation process in relation to amending legislation to ensure that bail will no longer be granted where an unlawful killing has occurred.

* Removing High Court judges’ discretion with regard to whether bail is or is not awarded where an unlawful killing has occurred.

AdVIC believes that bail must never be granted in this instance.

* Amending legislation to ensure that where gardaí object to bail for all violent offences, this should be the judge’s sole determining criteria in deciding whether bail should be granted.

* Ensuring those previously convicted of any serious offence(s) should not be able to apply for bail under any circumstances when they have been accused of a newer serious offence.

* Ensuring that those convicted by a jury of manslaughter should never be granted bail prior to sentencing.

* When considering a bail application the court must be obliged to consider that the applicant may live in the area of the victim’s family and should refuse bail on the grounds of the potential fear and intimidation that will often result for relatives and friends of the victim.

* Increased penalties for those who breach a bail bond.

* Enacting legislation to reflect that a crime committed while an accused is on bail is automatically regarded as a “serious offence” regardless of the nature of the crime.