Why we dissented from recommendations of the review group on the Special Criminal Court via IrishTimesOpEd
The doctrinal analysis on which the majority report is largely based has some value. It provides a useful and authoritative basis upon which to deliberate further. While we disagree with our colleagues fundamentally on certain points, we believe that our minority report adds to the choices to be considered by the Oireachtas in replacing the Offences Against the State Acts .
This may have been different had the reports been published by Government even a few more weeks ahead of the renewal debate, but the fact that there was no discernible political demand for earlier publication — apart from that made by non-governmental organisations like ICCL — is an indication of the degree of interest on the part of parliamentarians in the details of the review process and, indeed, in reform of the OASAs themselves.
We found no reason to explain why the PSNI is able to secure convictions for membership offences in Northern Ireland without recourse to belief evidence — while An Garda Síochána continues to insist upon the need for such evidence to be admitted in the South Irish exceptionalism is unexceptional. So-called emergency powers have a nasty habit of becoming permanent everywhere. But we can learn from successful endings of exceptional powers in other jurisdictions too. In the face of police opposition, the UK repealed its controversial counter-terrorist power of suspicionless stop and search. The Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation,: “Sometimes powers appear necessary but it is possible to make do without them after all.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Man charged over criminal damage to a number of Irish Rail trainsThe man is alleged to have caused criminal damage to Irish Rail trains in the Dublin region
Read more »
Violent criminal who attacked pregnant partner has jail time doubledJason Doyle (28) has 86 previous convictions including criminal damage and domestic violence
Read more »
'He has nowhere to go': Boy with special needs rejected by 17 schoolsA mother of a 13-year-old boy with Down Syndrome and ASD is 'fighting' to find him a secondary school place after being rejected 17 times so far.
Read more »
The OGs: How writing about women's sport has changed over the decadesThe OGs: How writing about women's sport has changed over the decades Mary Hannigan, ponyyelof, SineadOCarroll & emmaduffy_
Read more »
Ganley faces contempt of court order over €16.2m Delaware debtIn the latest twist in his battle with former backer David Shuman, this time over a transfer of share options, Rivada boss Declan Ganley could face fines of $20,000 a day
Read more »
Cork radio presenter resolves court action over broadcast location‘Dave’ Macardle in row with RedFm over presenting show from Dublin for three days a week
Read more »