Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 1

Written Answers. - Bail Statistics.

Patrick J. Morley

Question:

56 Mr. Morley asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications to estreat bail which have been brought as a result of the failure of accused persons on bail to attend in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court between 1 January 1996 and 30 September 1996. [18395/96]

Tom Moffatt

Question:

85 Dr. Moffatt asked the Minister for Justice the number of criminal cases listed for trial before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court between 1 January 1996 and 30 September 1996; and the number of bench warrants issued by that court during that period by reason of the non-attendance for trial of accused persons on bail. [18394/96]

Brian Lenihan

Question:

121 Mr. Lenihan asked the Minister for Justice the number of bench warrants for the arrest of accused persons which were issued by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court between 1 January 1996 and 30 September 1996, by reason of the non-attendance of an accused person on bail. [18393/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 85 and 121 together.

There were no applications made to estreat bail in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court between 1 January and 30 September 1996, as a result of the failure of accused persons on bail to attend court.

The number of criminal cases listed for trial in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in the period 1 January to 30 September 1996 was 330. In the same period, 141 bench warrants were issued by that court by reason of the non-attendance for trial of accused persons on bail.

I might mention also that, aside from the proposal to amend the Constitution in relation to bail, I am separately preparing legislation to tighten up on our bail laws generally including a requirement that cash or the equivalent of cash is lodged as part of bail.