CRIMINAL TRIALS involving manslaughter, murder and kidnapping should be televised so the public could see the extent of witness intimidation, the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (Agsi) has said.
Association president Paschal Feeney said the televising of the proceedings in the Houses of the Oireachtas had enhanced the public's understanding of politics. Television cameras in courtrooms could do the same for the criminal justice system.
It was "high time" the public became aware of the "carry on" during serious criminal trials.
"They should see first hand the pressure that witnesses and even victims of crime are placed under," he told delegates at the opening of Agsi's annual conference in Trim, Co Meath.
"They should see the histrionics, the antics and the showmanship and they should also see the venality, and where it exists, the nobility. The extent of witness intimidation would become clear to viewers. Public knowledge of what goes on in our courts would hopefully lead to beneficial reform."
Mr Feeney added that the intimidation of witnesses was now at such a serious level that it needed to be properly tackled. He called for the use of the non-jury Special Criminal Court in gangland trials and called for that court to accept the sworn evidence of a chief superintendent that an accused is involved in serious crime.
He said while Agsi welcomed the establishment of the new confidential recipient office, to which Garda whistleblowers would report their concerns, the association had some difficulties with the new system.
He believed the anonymity of a complainant should be protected at times and not disclosed in some cases, as is proposed. A complaint should be independently investigated rather than referred for investigation to the Garda Commissioner, as is proposed.
Mr Feeney said Agsi viewed juvenile crime and drinking as an "enormous worry", particularly following the murder of two Polish men by teenagers in Drimnagh, Dublin, last month.
Minister for State at the Department of Justice Seán Power told delegates many of the issues surrounding binge drinking and anti-social behaviour would be addressed in the forthcoming Sale of Alcohol Bill. He believed alcohol had played a considerable role in the riots in Finglas, Dublin, on Monday. Children as young as 10 had over-indulged with alcohol.
