New Justice Bill faces criticism in Seanad

The Government's new Criminal Justice Amendment Bill has come in for more criticism today as the Seanad begins debating the legislation.

The controversial bill allows all gangland trials to be held before the non-jury Special Criminal Court.

Any former or serving garda would also be allowed to give opinion evidence about the existence of a criminal gang.

Speaking in the Seanad this morning, Fine Gael's Frances Fitzgerald said that, while her party supported the legislation, the Government decision to rush it through the Oireachtas could be counter-productive as it might be found to be unconstitutional.

Independent Senator Ronan Mullen also expressed similar concerns.

The legislation is expected to be passed into law in the coming days if the President decides not to refer it to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality.