Sinn Féin refuse to support retention of Special Criminal Court – Ward

Sinn Féin has again today failed to support the retention of the Special Criminal Court which protects Irish citizens against threats posed by terrorism and organised crime, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Minister for Justice Heather Humphreys brought motions before the Seanad this Tuesday to renew the Offences Against the State Act and the Criminal Justice Act for another year.

Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson for Justice Senator Barry Ward said, “Senator Lynn Boylan failed to appear before the Seanad this morning to discuss the renewal of legislation that protects the Irish public and judicial system, as her party Sinn Féin refused to support the Special Criminal Court.

“When a vote was called on the issue in the Seanad today, Sinn Féin didn’t even bother to appoint tellers for the vote and the motion passed.

“I understand many of the concerns held by various groups regarding the court. Trial by jury is a cornerstone of our criminal law system, and I was delighted to hear Minister Humphreys say today that she supports protection of the right of trial by jury to the greatest extent possible.

“However, while it is very much a blunt instrument, the Special Criminal Court exists to protect citizens against the very real and persistent threat of organised crime and terrorist groups that persists in Ireland to this day.

“Many of the groups who seek to abolish the Special Criminal Court do so legitimately on human rights grounds, and as someone with reservations about the court, I accept their bona fides.

“However, there are also groups who oppose it on a political basis, who are in some cases associated with people coming before the court and want it removed for that reason.

“This is exactly the case when it comes to Sinn Féin and their lack of support for the court. On this issue, Sinn Féin are not acting in the best interests of the Irish public; they are acting with the intention of perverting the court of justice for their own self-interest and political reasons.

“Failure to support this institution which protects Irish citizens from paramilitary terrorist groups and serious organised crime raises questions for Sinn Féin.

“Nobody can be under any illusion as to the threat posed by these crime groups, and the legislation supported today by Fine Gael is a key element in the State’s fight against terrorism and criminal organisations.

“On the basis of what the Minister has said, and in line with the views of An Garda Síochána and the DPP, it is clear to me and to the Fine Gael party that the court’s continuation is necessary until such time as we can say otherwise.

“I very much look forward to the Peart report and what Justice Peart’s committee will have to say on the court. I believe the report will deal substantially with the issues raised by those who are opposed to the Court, either legitimately or out of self-interest,” Senator Ward concluded.