Sir, - Could a simpler means of checking bail abuse be found without a costly referendum to reduce constitutional guarantees? Bail is at present a guarantee that the accused will appear for trial. Can it be extended to become a guarantee of good behaviour while awaiting trial? A significant sum would be forfeit if the accused broke his promise by misbehaviour.
We should also reverse the present practice of concurrent sentences. It is unbelievable that the court should encourage crime by making repeated offences "cheaper by the dozen" while on bail.
The objectives of reducing crime and keeping criminals off the streets would be better served by increasing sentences by 50 per cent where the bail bond is sacrificed, and doubled for crimes committed while on bail. The normally well behaved citizen would not sacrifice bail; only the habitual criminal would suffer. - Yours, etc.
Stillorgan Road, Donnybrook,
Dublin. 4.