Covering jurors costs would lower number of people asking to be exempted from service, TD says

The absence of payment to cover costs incurred disproportionately impacts those on lower incomes, those with caring responsibilities and the self-employed, the Sinn Féin TD said

Data indicates that 60% of those called for jury service request to be relieved and the majority of these requests are granted. File picture: Larry Cummins

Compensation for those undertaking jury service is essential for juries to be truly representative, with 60% of those called looking for exemptions, a Sinn Féin TD has said.

Matt Carthy has launched proposals that would see jurors compensated for expenses incurred as a result of jury duty such as travel, subsistence, and provision of care.

Data indicates that 60% of those called for jury service request to be relieved and the majority of these requests are granted.

The court service does not provide a breakdown of the reasons why people look to be excused but Mr Carthy said a recent empirical study saw the financial burden of jury service raised by numerous judges.

In one case, a judge recalled a case where two days into the trial a juror sought to be relieved due to the costs involved. The man told the judge "I will not be able to feed my kids if this goes on much longer", according to the report.

The absence of payment to cover costs incurred disproportionately impacts those on lower incomes, those with caring responsibilities and the self-employed, Mr Carthy said.

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The Sinn Féin TD said that when the issue was raised with justice minister Jim O'Callaghan, he was told that those people could be excused from service.

"This means those groups are underrepresented on juries. Those who wish to serve should have that option," he said.

The exact cost of implementing the proposal was sought from the Department of Justice but no response has been received by Mr Carthy. However, he said the cost would be "miniscule in the overall scheme of things".

In 2013, the Law Reform Commission recommended a flat rate daily payment to cover costs incurred by jurors.