asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the number of offences being committed by persons released from custody on bail; if so, if he contemplates taking action in the matter; and if he will give the number, if available, of those persons known to have committed offences while released from custody on bail.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offences Committed on Bail.
10.
I am informed by the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána that the latest available figures, which relate to the year ended 30th September, 1973, show that 513 persons committed a total of 1,775 crimes while on bail during that year.
As I am sure the Deputy is aware, in 1967 the Supreme Court decided that, having regard to certain provisions of the Constitution, bail may be refused only where the accused was likely to flee the jurisdiction or to interfere with prosecution witnesses and that it should not be refused merely because the accused would be likely to commit further offences while on bail. In the light of this decision, it is extremely unlikely that legislation can be prepared which would obviate or substantially reduce the incidence of offences by persons on bail.