Would Sinn Féin close the Special Criminal Court and allow organised crime run riot? – Geoghegan

Would Sinn Féin close down the Special Criminal Court and allow organised crime to run riot? That is the question posed by Fine Gael Dublin Bay South bye-election candidate James Geoghegan, after Sinn  Féin’s Lynn Boylan repeatedly evaded questioning on the matter on RTÉ’s This Week show today (Sunday).

Cllr. Geoghegan said: “Sinn Féin has long sought to undermine the work of the Special Criminal Court in public statements and speeches in the Oireachtas, and they have previously said they would abolish it. Today we heard Lynn Boylan repeatedly evade questioning on the matter on RTÉ’s This Week show. This is extremely concerning and gives us an insight into Sinn Féin thinking on the matter ahead of the crucial deadline of the end of this month to ensure continuation of the special provisions underpinning the Court.

“As with any such far reaching legislation, it is important to review it, however we in Fine Gael have long been clear in our support for the continued existence of the Special Criminal Court.

“This is not just about the threat of terrorism that unfortunately still exists on this island. It is also about shutting down the criminal gangs which have wreaked havoc and mayhem on the streets of Dublin city in recent decades.

“Sinn Féin must be open with the public on their position on the Special Criminal Court. This is very serious given the impending deadline of the end of this month. Resolutions to renew provisions contained the Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998 and the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 must be passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas before 30 June 2021.

“It is incumbent upon on all parties to support these provisions underpinning the renewal of the Special Criminal Court, which will send a strong message to criminals and dissidents that their actions and disregard for the law will not be tolerated by the State”, Cllr Geoghegan concluded.