A review of the criminal justice system on the need for reform or the introduction of laws to deal with gangland crime began yesterday at an Oireachtas committee.
The Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights will hear submissions from criminal justice experts, academics, legal practitioners, the public and, on the last day, the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, and the Garda Commissioner, Mr Noel Conroy.
Yesterday, the committee chairman, Mr Sean Ardagh TD, said the hearings arose in the context of public concern at recent developments and questions being asked as to whether there was a need for reform of areas of the criminal justice system.
He said it would be disproportionate to suggest the system had suddenly collapsed, or that the constitutional legal basis of the system had been discredited.
"However, there are criminal gangs operating in our society, engaging mainly in drug-related activities. This Government, members of the Oireachtas and the people of this country are not prepared to tolerate gangs, drug barons and other criminals. It is essential that we continue to review, reform and examine the issues that lead to gangland crime."
In parts of Limerick and Dublin enormous efforts had been made by the Garda to deal with criminals and many were apprehended.
"However, there is a deeply evil group of individuals who will stop at nothing to prevent others from giving evidence. There are people who think they are above the law. The good and decent people of this country have had enough of this. We must take action, focus on the problem at hand and create real and concrete solutions," said Mr Ardagh.
Ms Moe Reynolds, of Victim Support, said its recommendations included the need for Garda witness escorts to courts; courtroom protection; separate waiting rooms for witnesses; written deposed statements given in custody being allowed as evidence; videotaping of all interviews; and the Central Criminal Court moved outside Dublin.
Mr Sean Lowry, a chief probation and welfare officer, said Limerick had arguably the most extensive area of disadvantage in the country. The major problems that had occurred in the criminal justice system were emanating from a small part of that area.
He said in Limerick the drug problem centred around the supply of cannabis and recreational drugs, and the distribution network was believed to be at the heart of the difficulties there.
Dr Gerard Hogan SC, a law lecturer in TCD, said witness intimidation could cause a serious and insidious destruction of the system of criminal justice if it was not tackled.
The system was not losing the balance in the fight against crime, but it was being presented with new challenges. If witness intimidation was to take hold that would be reason itself to look at existing law.
The hearings will sit next Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, and then Monday and Tuesday, December 8th and December 9th.