Vol. 470 No. 1
81 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to reform the criminal jury system; the plans, if any, she has to end the accused person's automatic right to obtain the home address of every juror; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18426/96]
I take it that what lies behind the Deputy's question is the possibility of jurors being intimidated by the accused during the course of a trial or by a convicted person after the trial in the light of the fact that in a criminal trial the defence is provided with the names and addresses of the panel of jurors.
Section 16 of the Juries Act, 1976 provides that every person shall be entitled to reasonable facilities to inspect a panel of jurors free of charge and a party to any proceedings, civil or criminal, to be tried with a jury shall be entitled to a copy free of charge on application to the county registrar.
I understand that it is the practice of the court offices to issue the names, addresses and occupations of the jury panel to the accused's solicitor on request. The right to challenge a juror is one of the safeguards which experience has shown to be necessary to prevent trial by a packed jury or trial by a jury that is not unbiased or not independent.
Assaulting or threatening any person including a juror in court during or going to or coming from proceedings or after the completion of a trial is contempt of court.
