Catherine Murphy
Question:601. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of instances of reported jury intimidation or interference in each of the past two years. [27911/22]
View answerTuesday, 31 May 2022
Questions (601)
Written answers
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, but I have not received this information in time. I will write to the Deputy as soon as the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 601 of 31 May 2022 where you sought:
“The number of instances of reported jury intimidation or interference in each of the past two years”.
As you will recall, I sought the information you requested from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.
Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions. I have no role in these matters.
I am informed that the Garda authorities hold information in relation to intimidation of witnesses/ jurors who assist in the investigation by An Garda Síochána of an offence; or of a witness / potential witness / juror / potential juror in proceedings for an offence with the intention of causing the investigation / the course of justice to be obstructed, perverted or interfered with.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of proceedings and convictions where intimidation of a witness/ juror was reported in 2020, 2021 and up to and including 21 April 2022, the latest date for which figures are available.
|
Year |
Proceedings |
Convictions |
|
2020 |
48 |
11 |
|
2021 |
45 |
4 |
|
As of 21 April 2022 |
7 |
0 |
*Statistics provided are Provisional, Operational and Liable to Change*
I am informed that the Garda authorities are able to breakdown this information by offence code only, and cannot isolate incidents related to jurors only as a result.
It should of course be noted that, in the type of trials which would be most at risk of jury intimidation (i.e. those which relate to certain offences relating to subversive groups and organised criminal gangs), the existence of the Special Criminal Court means that jury intimidation is not possible where such cases are referred there.
I hope that this information is of assistance.