Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman and all our witnesses. It has been a very interesting conversation. Many of the issues I wished to raise have been covered but there are a couple of small points I wish to clarify regarding victim support, where it is at and how well it is provided for, particularly in courts in various parts of the country. One of the things members hear regularly is that many victims of crime feel lost in the process. They do not know where to go or what is happening. There may be a garda with whom they have a relationship present in the courtroom who will give them a little advice regarding what is happening, what will happen next and when that will take place, such as advising that it will be a couple of hours before anything happens. It is sometimes the case that victims are just hanging around the courtroom and they feel lost and out of it while the process is happening. There needs to be a greater emphasis on ensuring that there is support and liaison for victims and an appropriate quiet space to which the victims can go to ensure they are looked after, particularly in more serious cases involving abuse or other issues that are difficult for people. That is one of the things which seems to be missing from many courtrooms. It needs to be prioritised and put in place.

An issue that links into that is that it is sometimes the case that victims are in the same room or use the same entrances and exits as the accused or those accompanying the accused. That creates all sorts of tension. An effort needs to be made to see how that can be managed better. In some cases, there is only one entrance that can be used. If that is the case, admission to the building should be staggered. From the point of view of the Courts Service, what further efforts can be made to resolve this issue?