THE GOVERNMENT may hold another bail referendum following a marked increase in the number of offences committed by people on bail, the Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern, has said.
In response to a parliamentary question last week, Mr Ahern said the number of suspected criminal offences committed by those on bail has increased by 60 per cent in four years, to almost 24,200 last year. Mr Ahern said the increase was of “considerable concern” to him. “We will possibly have to return to a referendum on the issue in the future,” he added.
The Department of Justice has revealed that the number of offences committed by people on bail was 15,531 in 2004.
That increased to 18,362 in 2005 with further increases in 2006 and 2007, to 22,772 and 24,189 respectively.
The figures are continuing to increase despite measures restricting the granting of bail which were put in place with the enactment of the Bail Act 1997, after a referendum, and the Criminal Justice Act 2007, enacted last May.
Among other provisions, the 2007 Act empowers Garda officers of the rank of superintendent or higher to object to bail on the grounds an accused is likely to commit serious crime while on bail.
Senior gardaí have complained the courts are consistently ignoring Garda objections to the granting of bail to some criminals.
They point out that offenders charged with serious crime, up to an including serious gun and drugs offences, have secured bail.
Many have been known members of organised crime gangs who have resumed their illegal activities while on bail.
