LONDON AND DUBLIN BILLS TO SPELL OUT TOUGH MESSAGE
London and Dublin Bills to spell out tough message
By Desmond McCartan and Michael Devine
HOME Secretary Jack Straw said that urgent counter-terrorism laws due to go before MPs today sent a "clear message that hard-line terrorists would not be tolerated.
And as the Commons debated stringent new laws to combat terrorism, the Dail was due to meet in emergency session today to pass legislation making it easier for gardai to crack down on terrorism.
Mr Straw put up a strong defence of the need for the draft Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Bill amid further Labour unease.
And he said that there was "no question" of any early release for the people who carried out the Omagh bombing outrage when they are finally caught and convicted.
"Terrorism is a major threat to our safety and the democratic system we cherish," he said.
"It is vital that we have at our disposal effective and practical measures to counter this threat and bring to justice those who persist in the use of violence."
And Mo Mowlam said: "Effective anti-terrorist legislation, consistent with the level of threat, is essential to underpin the Good Friday Agreement and to allow peace to flourish in Northern Ireland."
Police and the courts had to have power to bring to justice those who showed "blatant disregard for democracy and peace".
The Home Office said that the Bill contained several safeguards for suspects.
While the opinion of a senior police officer would be admissible as court evidence of membership of a banned specific terrorist group, it alone would not be enough to convict.
The case would require proof "beyond reasonable doubt", it declared.
Mr Straw pointed out that, since the Government intends to consult in the autumn on new UK-wide permanent legislation, the Bill's provisions would be temporary and subject to annual renewal.
The Bill does not name the organisations targeted: but they are the same as those specified under the recent Sentences Act.
Under its provisions, Dr Mowlam could add to - or subtract from - the existing list of organisations covered by the criteria of ceasefire.
In Dublin, the oppostion parties were set to unite behind the government in amending the Offences Against the State Act to create five new offences, restrict the right to silence and extend the period of detention for terrorist suspects.
The new measures, which have been described by the government as draconian, will significantly strengthen the hands of the gardai.
They include a new offence of directing terrorism.
The legislation will also give the courts the power to confiscate premises and lands used for terrorist purposes, such as storing arms and explosives.
Because of concerns that the tough new measures could be subjected to a constitutional challenge, the government decided to amend its proposals.
The government is now proposing that a suspect will have to be produced before a judge in court before the period of detention can be extended from 48 hours to 72
By Desmond McCartan and Michael Devine
HOME Secretary Jack Straw said that urgent counter-terrorism laws due to go before MPs today sent a "clear message that hard-line terrorists would not be tolerated.
And as the Commons debated stringent new laws to combat terrorism, the Dail was due to meet in emergency session today to pass legislation making it easier for gardai to crack down on terrorism.
Mr Straw put up a strong defence of the need for the draft Criminal Justice (Terrorism and Conspiracy) Bill amid further Labour unease.
And he said that there was "no question" of any early release for the people who carried out the Omagh bombing outrage when they are finally caught and convicted.
"Terrorism is a major threat to our safety and the democratic system we cherish," he said.
"It is vital that we have at our disposal effective and practical measures to counter this threat and bring to justice those who persist in the use of violence."
And Mo Mowlam said: "Effective anti-terrorist legislation, consistent with the level of threat, is essential to underpin the Good Friday Agreement and to allow peace to flourish in Northern Ireland."
Police and the courts had to have power to bring to justice those who showed "blatant disregard for democracy and peace".
The Home Office said that the Bill contained several safeguards for suspects.
While the opinion of a senior police officer would be admissible as court evidence of membership of a banned specific terrorist group, it alone would not be enough to convict.
The case would require proof "beyond reasonable doubt", it declared.
Mr Straw pointed out that, since the Government intends to consult in the autumn on new UK-wide permanent legislation, the Bill's provisions would be temporary and subject to annual renewal.
The Bill does not name the organisations targeted: but they are the same as those specified under the recent Sentences Act.
Under its provisions, Dr Mowlam could add to - or subtract from - the existing list of organisations covered by the criteria of ceasefire.
In Dublin, the oppostion parties were set to unite behind the government in amending the Offences Against the State Act to create five new offences, restrict the right to silence and extend the period of detention for terrorist suspects.
The new measures, which have been described by the government as draconian, will significantly strengthen the hands of the gardai.
They include a new offence of directing terrorism.
The legislation will also give the courts the power to confiscate premises and lands used for terrorist purposes, such as storing arms and explosives.
Because of concerns that the tough new measures could be subjected to a constitutional challenge, the government decided to amend its proposals.
The government is now proposing that a suspect will have to be produced before a judge in court before the period of detention can be extended from 48 hours to 72
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0348
Published Date: 02-Sep-98
Related Images
