By Andrew Carey
AS the new term of Limerick’s Circuit Criminal gets underway, senior legal figures have echoed the sentiments of a judge that it is “unacceptable” for people not to turn up to Jury service.
Judge Gerald Keyes told a sitting of the neighbouring Ennis circuit court that “the system would collapse if we didn’t have juries”.
At Monday’s Co Clare sitting, just 75 possible jurors out of 350 turned up for service.
Stephen Coughlan, prosecution for the State said that those who fail to turn up should be prosecuted.
In Limerick, senior legal figures have said that there are similar instances of juror absence but they say that it is a matter for the judge to hold them in content.
They have also called for a more open and all inclusive approach be taken so that all members of society can fulfill their civic duty.
