Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I have witnessed the intimidation of many people in Limerick, the city in which I live. I have seen elderly people and the mothers of young children being intimidated to such an extent that they were obliged to leave their homes. I know people who cannot go to bed at night because they are afraid of certain individuals who live in their communities. I am aware that certain people have withdrawn evidence they provided at Garda stations because they were called as witnesses and subsequently were intimidated. However, I have not been informed of jury members or potential jury members in the Limerick area being intimidated. I am not stating that this has not happened and I understand that one case has been brought to the attention of the authorities. However, I am not aware that intimidation of jury members is occurring.

If jurors or potential jurors are being intimidated, there is a provision whereby the DPP - if instances of intimidation are brought to his attention - may refer cases to the Special Criminal Court. Is the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform or anybody in Limerick - including the Minister for Defence - bringing evidence of intimidation of jury members or potential jury members to the attention of the DPP? If such evidence has been provided, what action has been taken? While I am aware of intimidation, it is intimidation of people in communities. It is the kind of appalling intimidation the Collins family and other families in Limerick have been obliged to endure.

As for the issue raised by Deputy O'Donnell, witnesses undoubtedly must be called in the Special Criminal Court and I cannot discern how this legislation will protect them in any way. I refer to the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill that was proposed initially by my colleague, Deputy Rabbitte, as the Garda Síochána (Powers of Surveillance) Bill and which subsequently was brought before the House by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. In providing that information and intelligence gained through covert surveillance can be used in a court of law against potential or alleged gangland criminals, it is a strong legislative measure that will be able to protect witnesses in the sense that such evidence may be used in court, perhaps as a substitute for witnesses or people being obliged to come forward to give evidence.

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