Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 22 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 7

Written Answers. - Enhanced Picture Use in Court.

Seamus Brennan

Ceist:

94 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Justice if she has satisfied herself that the use of enhanced pictures in court cases will not lead to a miscarriage of justice; if her attention has been drawn to the technology which apparently allows blurred pictures to be tampered with in the enhancing process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10587/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

As a general principle the weight to be given to any particular evidence is a matter for the court of trial and it is, of course, open to the defence to challenge the veracity or standing of a particular piece of evidence.

I am not aware of any difficulties of the kind referred to by the Deputy having arisen in practice but if he has any further information in the matter he might forward it to me and I will arrange to have it examined.