Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

Criminal activity in Limerick city has been discussed recently and this week has provided further evidence of the effect of the criminal fraternity on the local population. Ten jurors out of a total of 579 were eventually appointed to take a case in the Central Criminal Court in Limerick, despite the assurance of Garda protection for those participating in the case. That is symptomatic of the fear of the criminal fraternity in Limerick. The original objective behind the transfer of the Central Criminal Court from Dublin to Limerick was to save expenditure. However, a reign of fear has gripped Limerick city and the operation of the jury system there must be a serious concern for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Under the system, 90 out of a 100 potential jurors can be objected to by defence counsel. I have done jury service and a person can be objected to as a potential juror because somebody does not like the look of him or her. The jury system must be examined, particularly in terms of how it operates in Limerick.