EU laws may force DPP to explain decisions

Plans to provide victims of sexual crime with the reason why their cases are not being prosecuted are in doubt because of a lack of resources in the State prosecutor’s office.

However, EU laws currently being negotiated may force the DPP to provide reasons to victims in most criminal cases, a weekend conference was told.

The National Prosecutors’ Conference also heard that defence lawyers were increasingly seeking access to all information of a victim held by the HSE — such as therapy notes — with the possible intention of “intimidating” complainants.