Courts considering database of sentencing information

A new system allowing members of the public to compare the sentences handed down to serious drugs offenders could be in the pipeline.

Fianna Fáil TD Billy Kelleher says he has been informed by Supreme Court Justice Joseph Finnegan that the establishment of a sentencing information database is being looked at.

The move follows criticism of the way judges appear to impose varying sentences on different people for similar drugs crimes.

Mr Kelleher says he hopes a database would lead to more consistent sentencing and greater public confidence in the judicial system.