Fianna Fáil Justice Spokesperson Niall Collins has welcomed Judge Paul Carney’s decision to revoke bail in the case of convicted rapist Patrick O’Brien.
The Limerick TD said the fact that today’s intervention was necessary further highlights the need for reform in the area of criminal sentencing.
“Judge Carney’s intervention is most welcome and will hopefully go some way towards providing comfort to Fiona Doyle and her family,” he said.
“This case further highlights the pressure on individual members of the judiciary and the need to support Judges with guidelines on sentencing. It is clear that we need greater consistency in this area and that we need to enhance public confidence in our criminal justice system.
“Fianna Fáil has prepared proposals to establish a Sentencing Council similar to the model in the UK. The Council would issue guidelines on sentencing while maintaining the independence of the judiciary, and would provide clarity on judicial decisions. Such a system would bring greater transparency to our criminal justice system and help people understand why judges make the decisions they do.
“I have sought leave from the Ceann Comhairle to introduce the Judicial Sentencing Bill 2013 in the Dáil next week and will be seeking to debate it at the earliest possible opportunity. I will be appealing for the full support of all parties on this constructive set of proposals,” Deputy Collins.
