Vol. 520 No. 4
183 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons charged with and convicted of offences relating to interference with the course of justice each year for the past five years; if he will outline, in relation to those convicted, the number of cases in which custodial sentences were imposed; the length of such sentences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15773/00]
I have been informed by the Courts Service and the Garda authorities that the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available.
One of the difficulties which arises is that the Deputy's question could comprehend a considerable number of criminal offences including harassment of witnesses or jurors, conspiracy, bribery, making a false complaint, etc.
To attempt to compile the information in the form the Deputy requires would involve the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of staff time and resources at the expense of other operational duties, which would not be warranted.
