The chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice has disputed claims that the collapse of a murder trial this week had discredited the criminal justice system.
Confirming that the committee would hold a public review of measures to prevent witness intimidation, Fianna Fáil TD Mr Seán Ardagh said that the system dealt successfully with a huge number of cases every day. This included cases of organised crime.
Public hearings of the committee, which are likely to begin on November 28th, follow the collapse of the Central Criminal Court trial of Mr Liam Keane for the murder of a Limerick man, Mr Eric Leamy.
Members of the public will be invited to make submissions to the committee, which will examine current best practice in other jurisdictions to prevent witness intimidation. These include the Canadian system, being examined by the Government, where statements stood down by witnesses can be admissible in court.
The committee will also examine steps required to speed up criminal trials and the possibility of extending the admissibility of video-taped interviews as evidence in court.
While acknowledging that some groups might not be able to appear for legal reasons, Mr Ardagh said that the committee could invite the Bar Council, the Law Society, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, the Human Rights Commission, the Legal Aid Board and the Prison Service.
It will also call the Garda Commissioner, Mr Noel Conroy, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr James Hamilton.
