Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

As I stated at the outset, I do not intend to comment on individual cases and thankfully I do not have to justify the actions of any court. My job is to ensure that legislation as required is enacted. The criminal justice system has all types of mediation services, as the Deputy is probably far more aware than I am.

This is not a comment on the case in question, but I do not believe people are imprisoned for no just reason. We may need to mediate in particular instances and this case may be one of them. The Deputy has made the case well. It is something we will take on board but I cannot comment on, nor do I have to justify, any actions a court takes. We have a separation of powers between the State and the Judiciary which is important.

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