You’re guilty!
Cinema group asked if Courts wanted to conduct jury trials via big screen
THE Courts Service was approached by a major cinema chain about the possibility of screening criminal trials to jurors on the silver screen.
Odeon Cinemas made contact with courts management about the possibility of having socially distanced jurors in large cinema theatres watching and listening to evidence from a separate courtroom.
A similar plan had been put to use in Scotland as a variety of options were being explored on how to safely run trials during the Covid19 pandemic.
A spokesman said the cinema proposal had been ruled out as it was not considered a ‘practical or cost-effective’ solution for holding trials. An internal note had said this ‘hybrid’ option for trials would see the jury watch proceedings live on a cinema screen, which would be securely broadcast from a courtroom in another building.
It said: ‘The jury is based in the cinema for the duration of the trial and watches proceedings on the big screen. The cinema is closed to the public during the day while the courts are sitting.’
The Courts Service spokesman said the idea of having the jury in a different room to the body of the court had also posed the ‘potential’ for legal difficulties.
They said significant work had gone into ensuring the health and safety of potential jurors and court users during hearings and trials.
A theatre in Drogheda, a sports venue in Galway, a sports hall in Castlebar, and hotels in various towns had all been used for jury empanelling or court proceedings.
A spokesman said: ‘As an essential service, the administration of justice is exempt from various restrictions on gatherings. But we felt it very important and vital that people attending for jury service are both safe and feel safe.’
The Courts Service also signed a deal worth a reported €437,000 to hold trials in Croke Park after lengthy negotiations.
Internal records describe how they were looking for rooms with at least 200 square metres of space so that social distancing could be maintained.
The records show that Croke Park had originally been seeking a higher fee but that this was subsequently reduced, although the figures have been redacted. An internal note said the Croke Park costs compared favourably with other venues and that the facilities were ‘arguably better’ than elsewhere.
‘Vital that people attending feel safe’