Government set to renew Special Criminal Court despite review

Justice Minister Simon Harris cited "the continuing threat from dissidents, international terrorism and organised crime gangs" as reasons for renewing the court for another year

Minister for Justice, Simon Harris confirmed the review has completed its work and that department officials will bring its analysis of the report to the Government, with a view to publishing the review in June.

Sat, 27 May, 2023 - 02:09

Cormac O’Keeffe, Security Correspondent

Justice Minister Simon Harris has said the Government will push to renew laws next month to continue the use of the Special Criminal Court for another year despite publishing an expert review on the future of the non-jury court days beforehand.

The minister confirmed the review has completed its work and that department officials will bring its analysis of the report to the Government, with a view to publishing the review in June. Mr Harris said that this will be done before the Oireachtas votes on renewing provisions in the Offences Against the State Acts and the Criminal Justice Acts.