Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 5 March 2024

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality

Arson Attacks: Discussion

Dr. Shawna Coxon:

I will go through the first two questions. The Deputy asked about resolution in respect of cases that involve incitement.

The threshold for criminal charges in such cases is very high. As I stated in my opening statement, we are investigating cases relating to incitement. It is a very challenging threshold to reach. In addition, the cases that involve arson and criminal damage but do not involve incitement are challenging as a consequence of the evidence involved. These things take time. We have made arrests and more arrests will be forthcoming. To get into specific cases is problematic, however, and we cannot do so. With respect to incitement and the challenges in that regard, it is a high threshold and the evidence is difficult to obtain. Even the investigative actions we are undertaking are challenging with respect to phone seizures and going through that kind of data, including online data, where the data is stored and all that. It is important to state that we are investigating these cases, however. They are not being left aside.

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