Seanad debates
Wednesday, 19 February 2003
Criminal Law (Insanity) Bill 2002: Second Stage.
I have often wondered about the jury system. I was never called to do jury service because I was in public life and could not be called. It is based on the practical application of common sense whereby one is tried by one's fellow citizens who will make a decision. I have also often wondered about the training of jurors and whether they should have knowledge of a subject. That takes away the spontaneity of the act of citizenship on being called to administer justice for one's country and the other citizens of the land. It is a huge responsibility to do jury service and to administer justice to a fellow citizen. Perhaps we do not think about that often enough.
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