Safeguards key to gang laws
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WHEN gangsters' recklessness and brazen contempt for the law reached their height in Limerick with the killings of Shane Geoghegan and Roy Collins, public opinion rightly demanded strong action from the Government. We have now seen the shape of that action in the form of Justice Minister Dermot Ahern's Criminal Justice Bill. But is it the right course?
Undoubtedly there will be widespread support for the proposal to try gang crimes in the Special Criminal Court. Intimidation of jurors is a major problem, and in the special court there are no jurors to intimidate.
But the bill contains even more controversial measures, which have attracted intense criticism. The minister will need to find convincing replies.
It provides that a person may be convicted of gang leadership or membership on foot of the opinion of any member of the Garda Siochana, regardless of rank.
The penalties for these offences will be life imprisonment and 15 years' imprisonment respectively. Is it justifiable to impose them on the opinion of an inspector or sergeant, whatever his or her expertise?
At a minimum, Mr Ahern must listen to the criticisms and provide assurances that there will be safeguards against abuse and secrecy.
He must also answer a key point in respect of law enforcement.
Non-jury trials and new definitions and penalties, no matter how severe, cannot substitute for police work on the ground.
The battle against the gang lords must be fought, in the first instance, on the streets.
