JURY’S OUT AFTER VOTE

Sinn Fein backs courts motion during Ard Fheis

SINN Fein passed a motion to support the use of non-jury courts in “exceptional cases” at its Ard Fheis yesterday.

Despite a number of delegates speaking against it, the vote was carried – representing a significant shift in policy for the party.

Dublin TDS Louise O’reilly, Paul Donnelly and Mark Ward as well as Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly spoke in favour of the motion.

The non-jury special criminal court has been used in trials of dissident republicans and gangland criminals in order to avoid any potential intimidation.

The party has long been an opponent of the three-judge court but yesterday members voted two-toone in favour of lifting its opposition against it.

Mr Kelly added: “This is a very significant route for the party leadership and I believe a very decisive initiative.” Sinn Fein leader Mary Mcdonald defended the motion. The Dublin Central TD said the party recognises the need for a non-jury court “in exceptional circumstances”. She added: “We’re very, very conscious of the fact that now gangland crime, as it’s called, organised crime, is wreaking havoc across society. “I can attest to that in the constituency I represent. “We are very concerned communities are safe, the system works and that those in these criminal gangs who bring real fear and bring terror to the streets, they are held to account.”

The motion states Sinn Fein agrees with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties that the Special Criminal Court “as currently constituted” has no place in the system.

It describes the Offences Against the State Act to be an “archaic and outdated legal framework that is incapable of tackling 21st-century serious organised crime”.

But it supports nonjury courts in exceptional circumstances which Ms Mcdonald said included where there is risk of jury tampering or intimidation.

The review into the legislation is expected to be published next year.

We are very concerned gangs are held to account MARY LOU MCDONALD YESTERDAY