Ms Joan Deane:

A Garda's objection to bail in the first instance needs to be given more consideration by a judge. We would prefer if judicial discretion were retained by a judge, rather than a mandatory imposition of conditions. A judge hears the evidence of Garda in court. A senior Garda is unlikely to object to bail for no good reason. The Garda would have all of the information and the facts relating to the case having investigated it up to that point. The fears of a family are real. The courts can be stressful places for families. They need to be listened to and taken into account.