Victims to hear why suspects are freed

Almost half the case files examined by the Director of Public Prosecutions last year were returned to gardaí with orders not to press charges.

Some 44% of the 11,692 files disposed of by the DPP in 2014 came back with directions for no prosecution. That was a 2% increase on the previous year which in turn was a 2% increase on the number in 2012.

The number in which prosecution on indictment was directed — meaning the suspect should have a jury trial in the circuit court — was down 2% on the previous year, while the number directed for summary disposal, in the district court without a jury, was down 1%.