Sinn Féin abstains from voting on special criminal court

Former member of the Defence Forces Lisa Smith arriving at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin in January. The idea that IS could subvert a trial in Ireland is farcical, says Independent TD Michael MacNamara. Picture: PA 

Sinn Féin has not opposed renewing the law underpinning the Special Criminal Court for the second year in a row.

The party had been staunchly opposed to the non-jury court until 2020 when TDs first abstained on the proviso that the court's use be reviewed. In October, the party passed a motion backing the use of non-jury courts.