Lawyers express major concerns about 'impetuous' gang laws

A large group of leading criminal lawyers has today expressed major concern about the new Criminal Justice Bill being introduced by the Government.

The 133 defence and prosecution lawyers have written a letter to the Irish Times calling for the legislation to be withdrawn until a "reasoned debate" can be held.

The legislation, which is being rushed through the Dáil by the Government, would allow all gangland trials to be held in the non-jury Special Criminal Court.

It would also allow the opinion of any garda to be used against gangland suspects without any corroborating evidence.

Critics say there is no evidence of the widespread jury intimidation that would warrant non-jury trials.

They also say the new bill is unnecessary as the DPP currently has the right to refer any case to the Special Criminal Court if he feels the ordinary courts are inadequate to secure the effective administration of justice.

The lawyers writing to the Irish Times say the proposed new legislation is being introduced by the Government in an "impetuous" manner and Ireland will likely be challenged before the European Court of Human Rights or the UN Human Rights Committee.