Marie Keenan: Blaming defence solicitors for justice woes is unfair

Our research shows that blaming defence solicitors for the ills of the criminal justice system, including adjournments and delays, seems to be grossly unfair, writes professor Marie Keenan

Our research pointed to the need for investment across the entire criminal justice system before the significant issues causing delays and adjournments could be adequately addressed. File picture: Larry Cummins

If you didn’t notice or get to read my report, A Review of the Processing of Sexual Offences in Ireland: Stakeholder Experiences (2024), don’t worry. I think in a sense you weren’t meant to. 

Commissioned by the Department of Justice, the report was launched at a small gathering. There was no press conference or no big push by the Department of Justice to get the findings out there.