Seanad debates
Wednesday, 9 October 2002
Sub-Committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privileges: Motion.
I referred earlier to the Birmingham Six and the Guildford Four and an Opposition Senator suggested I said something other than I did. I was saying that, as a country with a sovereign Government, we have a responsibility to our citizens when they are still regarded as innocent until proved guilty and this is a fundamental aspect of sovereignty. We saw what happened in cases I mentioned, such as the Birmingham Six, the Guildford Four, the Winchester Three and the man from Clonmel who was found innocent and released three months ago having serving 27 years. His life was ruined. In another case, a young jockey is in prison in England and I have grave doubts about the trial. The view that pertained in the past that a particular justice system could not be wrong to such an extent has proved incorrect.
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