The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has said that the Criminal Procedure Bill published today (Monday 25 April 2009) by Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform Mr Dermot Ahern TD, sells victims short.
Speaking shortly after the publication of the Bill, ICCL Director Mr Mark Kelly said:
“There are undoubtedly positive aspects to this new law, in particular the expansion of the scope of victim impact statements, and permitting children and other vulnerable people to testify through trusted intermediaries and/or via live television link. However, as the ICCL has consistently emphasised, victims deserve a far better deal.”
“Every victim has the right to protection from intimidation, harassment and to have their privacy respected. What is needed is investment in simple measures to protect victims, such as safe access to courthouses and secure waiting areas in them” he added.
“Minister Ahern has today publicly reaffirmed his acute awareness of the basic principles of the criminal justice system. However he continues to trumpet as victim-centred, measures which chip away at fair trial rights. The retrial proposals set out in the Criminal Procedure Bill 2009 will do little or nothing to improve the position of victims or their families” he concluded.