Court claims overshadows Sinn Féin launch

Sinn Féin’s election spending proposals have been overshadowed by claims it wants to repeal anti-gangland laws and overhaul Dáil elections to put its “cronies” in power.

The party’s election manifesto launch was clouded by Gerry Adams’ continued suggestion that the non-jury Special Criminal Court should be abolished.

The party has come under fire for the suggestion, which is included in its manifesto.

The court specialises in hearing terrorist and gangland cases.

The Courts Service released figures last night which showed the waiting time for a trial in the court is 26 months, with the next available date at Easter 2018.

Mr Adams downplayed controversy over the issue yesterday, saying plans to scrap the court were a “long-standing policy”. Redline issues on entering government were plans to abolish water and property charges, he said.

While saying that “thugs” had carried out the recent fatal shootings in Dublin, he said the Special Criminal Court would be replaced by a “normal rule of law”.

Report: Dissidents claim responsibility for Regency Hotel shooting https://t.co/0jjeu3sTYk pic.twitter.com/3I4bTTkwbu

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) February 8, 2016

The manifesto states that Sinn Féin would seek to repeal the Offences against the State Act, which covers the operation of the Special Criminal Court.

Deputy party leader Mary Lou McDonald suggested that an alternative to non-jury trials would be video-linked systems for jurors.

Sinn Féin, in its manifesto, promises to use €10.6bn over the next five years on spending and cutting taxes. It will only cut the USC for earners on less than €19,572. It will also restore full dole payments for the under-26s. Furthermore, it promises to create up to 250,000 jobs.

The party said its spending plans were supplemented by proposals for a new sugar tax; betting tax; and more tax on tobacco.

It also said that if it enters government, it would examine a wealth tax of a 1% charge on assets valued at over €1m.

The party was criticised for its radical proposals for Dáil elections.

Under the plans, a partial “list” system would be introduced for the Dáil, and a third of the parliament would be from party lists.

Eddie Hutch senior shot in suspected Dublin gangland killing https://t.co/TMaCkIW4y8 pic.twitter.com/3suMxSJpK8

— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) February 8, 2016

Labour said such a move would allow Sinn Féin to put its associates or republican friends in power, including Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy, who faces sentencing for tax fraud in the Special Criminal Court.

The move would allow the party to put “cronies” in the Dáil, said junior minister Kevin Humphries.

The Labour TD said: “Under this proposal, republican royalty such as the Slabs and Bobby Storeys of this world would not even have to go before the people in order to find their way into our national parliament. Sinn Féin could simply bypass allowing the people to adjudicate on their suitability for public office and put them into the Dáil based on their party performance.”

Gerard Howlin: 14