The removal of the death penalty from the Constitution is to be put to the people in a referendum in May, writes Alison O'Connor.
Government sources have confirmed the provision for capital punishment is to be removed from the Constitution. The referendum to ratify the Nice Treaty is almost certain to be held on the same day. According to a Government source, the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, considers a provision for the death penalty has no place in a modern society.