Refusal by Sinn Féin to support Special Criminal Court is slap in face to victims of criminals and entire communities – Farrell

Sinn Féin’s constant refusal to support the Special Criminal Court is a slap in the face to victims of organised crime and our security services, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Fine Gael Justice Spokesperson and Dublin Fingal TD, Alan Farrell said, “The SCC is a fundamental tool in our ability to tackle some of the most dangerous people in the State. The court ensures leaders of organised crime and terrorist organisations face justice.

“Despite this, Sinn Féin look set to continue their long opposition to the operation of the Special Criminal Court, for many years Sinn Féin voted against the renewal of the SCC, these days they simply abstain in an effort to disguise their opposition to the SCC.”

Deputy Farrell continued, “Fine Gael are unequivocally on the side of law and order. The SCC has secured ground-breaking convictions over the years including the convictions of John Gilligan; Slab Murphy; Lisa Smith; and Jonathan Dowdall, a former Sinn Féin Councillor; to name but a few.”

The Special Criminal Court (SCC) must be renewed by June 30^th.

“I and my Fine Gael colleagues are committed to building stronger, safer communities, in order to deliver this, we must have a robust legal system that has the ability to tackle leaders of organised crime that make daily orders that destroy lives across this country,” Deputy Farrell said.

“I wonder how Sinn Féin TDs can justify their position on the SCC to the many victims of terror and gangland violence in Ireland?

“Criminal gangs tear communities apart and have caused untold misery to many families in the State. It is those families that I think of when I enter the Oireachtas and it is those families we must support.

“A report on the Special Criminal Court is due for publication shortly, this will inform future decisions on the Special Criminal Court.

Deputy Farrell added, “Everyone in this country deserves to live in peace, free from fear and intimidation; there are those that would seek to see that goal diminished and we must ensure that they are brought to justice, this is at the core of the work carried out by the Special Criminal Court.”