Report calls for compensation for victims of crime before court rulings

The Law Reform Commission said a new victim-centered and rights-based approach to the suffering people endure because of violent crimes should be adopted

The Law Reform Commission said the existing law allows courts to order convicted persons to pay compensation to victims but this is not often used. File picture

Mon, 23 Mar, 2026 - 17:00

Sean Murray

Victims of crime should be compensated “without delay” and without having to wait for the outcome of any criminal or civil proceedings, a landmark new report has said.

The Law Reform Commission said that a scheme dating back over 50 years to compensate victims of crime should be scrapped and replaced with a new victim-centered and rights-based approach to the suffering people endure because of violent crimes.