Criminal Justice Bill - Safeguard is invoked

IT is entirely appropriate that President Mary McAleese should convene a meeting of the Council of State to consider the Criminal Justice Bill if she has even the slightest doubt about the ability of the legislation to achieve its objective.

Under the Constitution, the President may, after consultation with the Council of State, refer any bill to the Supreme Court for a decision on whether it, or any of its provisions, are “repugnant” to the Constitution.

Age-old principles surrounding human rights must be protected but communities must be protected too.

If this version of the Criminal Justice Bill is ruled unacceptable then it’s back to the drawing board.

The fight against murderous crime gangs cannot be allowed fail on a technicality.