TOUGHEST TEROR CLAMP IN 20 YEARS IS PLANNED
Toughest terror clamp in 20 years is planned
By TOM BRADY Security Editor
A SECURITY package representing the toughest crackdown on terrorism in more than two decades will be presented to the Government at tomorrow's Cabinet meeting.
Senior officials from the Department of Justice and the Attorney General's office will today finalise the legislative changes to be recommended to the Cabinet by Justice Minister John O'Donoghue.
And Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne and RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan have been ordered by the Irish and British governments to prepare a blueprint for improving policing along the Border.
The policing proposals are not likely to be ready for some time, but the Government intends to press ahead immediately on the legal changes with the Dail being recalled to amend existing legislation if necessary.
It was learned last night that the package is likely to include:
* Curbs on the right to silence for terrorism offences;
* Immediate implementation of the agreed restrictions on the right to bail for terrorist suspects;
* Amendments to the Offences Against the State Act to allow the gardai use evidence of known association between a suspect and a convicted terrorist to bolster their case for conviction on charges of membership of an illegal organisation.
One senior security source told the Irish Independent last night: "This stops just short of internment. Instead, it has been decided to amend existing legislation and use the courts to secure convictions to put the godfathers of terror behind bars.''
"The package represents the toughest set of measures to be discussed by a Cabinet since the introduction of the special emergency legislation in the mid 1970s,'' the source added.
The Offences Against the State Act 1939 allows members of proscribed organisations to be charged before the Special Criminal Court and during the '70s and '80s this was used effectively against the Provisional IRA.
However, such convictions dropped when suspects challenged the word of a garda chief superintendent, and the court took the view that corroboration from other incriminating evidence such as possession of material or documentation was needed.
Following a review of the law, it is now expected that the minister will propose an amendment which will allow the court to take into account garda evidence showing a clear association between the suspect and known terrorists.
Restrictions in the bail laws have already been approved by referendum but up to now have not been implemented because of a shortage of prison space.
By TOM BRADY Security Editor
A SECURITY package representing the toughest crackdown on terrorism in more than two decades will be presented to the Government at tomorrow's Cabinet meeting.
Senior officials from the Department of Justice and the Attorney General's office will today finalise the legislative changes to be recommended to the Cabinet by Justice Minister John O'Donoghue.
And Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne and RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan have been ordered by the Irish and British governments to prepare a blueprint for improving policing along the Border.
The policing proposals are not likely to be ready for some time, but the Government intends to press ahead immediately on the legal changes with the Dail being recalled to amend existing legislation if necessary.
It was learned last night that the package is likely to include:
* Curbs on the right to silence for terrorism offences;
* Immediate implementation of the agreed restrictions on the right to bail for terrorist suspects;
* Amendments to the Offences Against the State Act to allow the gardai use evidence of known association between a suspect and a convicted terrorist to bolster their case for conviction on charges of membership of an illegal organisation.
One senior security source told the Irish Independent last night: "This stops just short of internment. Instead, it has been decided to amend existing legislation and use the courts to secure convictions to put the godfathers of terror behind bars.''
"The package represents the toughest set of measures to be discussed by a Cabinet since the introduction of the special emergency legislation in the mid 1970s,'' the source added.
The Offences Against the State Act 1939 allows members of proscribed organisations to be charged before the Special Criminal Court and during the '70s and '80s this was used effectively against the Provisional IRA.
However, such convictions dropped when suspects challenged the word of a garda chief superintendent, and the court took the view that corroboration from other incriminating evidence such as possession of material or documentation was needed.
Following a review of the law, it is now expected that the minister will propose an amendment which will allow the court to take into account garda evidence showing a clear association between the suspect and known terrorists.
Restrictions in the bail laws have already been approved by referendum but up to now have not been implemented because of a shortage of prison space.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/177
Published Date: 18-Aug-98
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