Proposed crime Bill 'tramples on rule of law', says rights watchdog

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has said that the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill 2009 published by the Minister for Justice today “tramples on the rule of law”.

Speaking shortly after the Bill was published, ICCL director Mark Kelly said: "The ICCL condemns the activities of gangland criminals in the strongest possible terms - however, respecting fair criminal justice procedures when responding to crime is the hallmark of a civilised and democratic state.

"The measures proposed by Dermot Ahern today, including secret detention hearings and detention on the unsupported word of a single Guard, trample upon the rule of law.

"If this Bill were to be enacted in this form, the lawful basis for the administration of justice in Ireland would be gravely undermined."