Tag Archives: Special Criminal Court

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald at the party’s Ard Fheis in the Helix Theatre, Dublin on Saturday

This morning.

Via Irish Examiner:

As part of its projection as a responsible democratic movement with a legitimate claim to power it produced a stunning coup de theatre by committing to the option of non-jury courts in “exceptional” circumstances, a long-standing point of opposition among core republican supporters.

The change of policy coincides with polls which reveal Sinn Féin to be the most popular party among voters in the country. A sharp fall in support for Fine Gael has opened up a 10-point lead for Sinn Féin over its nearest rival. An Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI opinion poll taken at the start of this month shows that Sinn Féin has the support of almost a third of voters at 32%, far ahead of Fine Gael (22%) and Fianna Fáil (20%).

In June, eight of the party’s TDs staged a walk-out of the Dáil before an annual vote on the retention of the court. In 2020, the party abstained, having always voted against the legislation previously.

That last time Sinn Féin made such an historic decision in defiance of traditional republican orthodoxy was at its 1986 Ard Fheis when it pledged that its elected representatives would take their seats in the Dáil. This decision ran counter to the history of the previous 65 years. It still refuses to take its seats in the House of Commons.

Irish Examiner View: Upbeat Sinn Féin breaks with the past (Irish Examiner)

Ah, Ned.

Sam Boal/RollingNews

Thanks ESB

Last night.

The Dail at the Convention Centre, Dublin.

Sinn Féin TDs walked out of the Dáil chamber before a vote to extend the Special Criminal Court for another year. Sinn Féin has previously said its TDs would abstain from the vote pending a review of the Court.

Sinn Féin TDs walk out of Dáil before Special Criminal Court vote (Independent.ie)

Meanwhile…

Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan

This afternoon.

TDs are discussing the renewal of the Offences Against the State Act and the Criminal Justice Act 2009 in the Dáil.

The Minister for Justice has said work is ongoing in his department to bring forward a review of emergency laws aimed at tackling terrorism and the Offences Against the State Act will be part of that review.

Minister Flanagan said there remains a real and persistent threat from “Republican paramilitary organisations” on the island of Ireland….

Meanwhile…

Catherine Murphy

“Last year, Minister Flanagan himself said: “We all look forward to the day when the Special Criminal Court is no longer needed, but regrettably we are not there yet”

But isn’t that the point? If we don’t make moves now to ensure we get to the stage where it is no longer needed then every year we and those who come after us will be asked to walk in here and vote to extend its powers. That’s not good enough.

The challenge now is to equip our ordinary courts in a way that allows them to administer transparent justice safely and securely for all involved in proceedings.

Such a basic tenet of a civilised society should not be outside of our capabilities and that is why the amendment tabled by the Social Democrats today allows for a 5 year time-frame to phase out this archaic institution and replace it with a transparent system of justice.”

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy.

Meanwhile...

Pa Daly

“Military courts were introduced in Ireland in 1939 and expanded in controversial circumstances in 1972. The Government asserted, as it was required to do under the Constitution, that the ordinary courts were ineffective to secure the proper administration of justice. The bogeyman of jury intimidation was raised.

Jury intimidation is the Irish criminal justice system’s equivalent to weapons of mass destruction. It is very easy to raise the issue, but where is the evidence for it? Is it in any of these reports? Has it ever been mentioned? Most of the Limerick gangland cases and many of the Crumlin and Drimnagh gang cases were dealt with by juries.

Is there any evidence of intimidation leading a jury to acquit somebody? I have not seen it. If there was any evidence of jury intimidation, it could form part of the proposed review, but there does not seem to be any.”

Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly.

FIGHT!

Justice Minister announces review of anti-terror laws (RTÉ)