Car sales fuel economy fear

While it is unlikely this legal victory will lead to this depraved man’s release the ruling could have serious implications for many other criminal cases and investigations.

Last month the High Court found the law allowing data from mobile phones to be retained breaches EU law and the European Convention on Human Rights.

In what is considered a landmark ruling Justice Tony O’connor said the Court of Justice of the EU has ruled that even when it comes to fighting crime, police forces are prohibited from retaining this data.

During the Dwyer’s trial it emerged investigating gardai had used such data to track the killer’s phone signals.

It is right the State is to launch a fight back against the High Court ruling as it is understood a large number of criminal investigations could be affected if this stands.

The use of advanced technology is a vital tool in the Garda’s fight against organised crime.

While it is important an individual’s personal data must be protected, the public must also be protected from monsters like Dwyer. It is imperative that a balance must be found to allow law enforcement agencies use all the tools at their disposal to fight crime. THE sharp drop in the number of new cars licensed last year suggests that the economy might not be as buoyant as the Government will like us to believe.

On the other hand the dramatic increase in the number of imported motors shows the public are desperate to save money and are willing to travel to the UK to get a bargain.

The tiny uptake of electric cars also shows there is much to do to convince the potential buyers to switch from petrol and diesel models.

If the Government want the public to use emission-free vehicles there must be a programme to install charging points in every street in the country and until then there must be no carbon tax.