TAG ALL SUSPECTS WAITING FOR TRIAL
Minister moves to toughen up bail conditions
SUSPECTS awaiting trial could face electronic tagging under new proposals introduced by the Justice Minister.
Legislation in 2007 allowed courts to order electronic tagging as a condition of bail.
But the provision has not been used amid fears it would be overused and prove too costly to implement.
Under the new Bail (Amendment) Bill, brought forward by Frances Fitzgerald yesterday, prosecutors must apply to a court for a suspect to be tagged ahead of trial.
The introduction of electronic tagging was a key priority for Communications Minister Denis Naughten in negotiations for the Programme for Partnership Government.
While he welcomed the move to amend the Bill, he said it is only a first step in electronically tagging criminals, especially sex offenders.
He added: “We would need new legislation to monitor convicted sex offenders and this amendment does nothing for that.
“There are currently 60 electronic tags – paid for by the taxpayer – lying in a card- board box and not being used. This, however, is a welcome foot under the door in that direction.”
The proposals will allow the court to take into account new factors when considering bail, such as whether the suspect is a repeat offender and the likelihood of any danger to a person or the community if released.
A source said: “While the Tanaiste believes a consolidation of the law on bail remains a worthwhile objective, she has concluded the best way forward now is to bring forward a much shorter Bail Bill focused specifically on the commitments which this Government has made in the Programme for Government.”