OIREACHTAS MEETS TO PASS LAWS
Oireachtas meets to pass laws
By Michael O'Toole
Dublin Correspondent
THE Oireachtas meets in special session today to pass the toughest security laws in the history of the state.
The Dail and the Seanad have both been recalled from their summer recesses in the wake of the Omagh tragedy - and will introduce Draconian legislation aimed at crushing the Real IRA.
The legislation to be rushed through the Oireachtas today includes provisions in relation to membership of an unlawful organisation, the right to silence, the creation of new offences, increased powers of detention, unlimited fines and the forfeiture of property where that property is used for storage of firearms or explosives.
One key part of the legislation, published by the government on Monday night, includes an expansion of the state witness protection programme, used in the hunt for the killers of journalist Veronica Guerin in June 1996.
The new measures also include:
limiting the right of silence for paramilitary suspects under questioning. Inference will be drawn from that refusal to answer questions
extending the maximum period of detention under section 30 of the Offences
against the State Act from 48 hours to 96 hours with the authorisation of a district judge.
A number of new offences are to be created under the offences against the state acts of 1939 and 1985.
These include:
>directing an unlawful organisation
>possessing items for purposes connected with specific firearms or explosives offences
>withholding information on offences
>unlawfully collecting information
>training persons in the making or use of firearms or explosives.
The offence of directing terrorism already exists in Northern Ireland and was used to convict loyalist leader Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair in 1995.
The penalty for belonging to a paramilitary group will stay at seven years.
By Michael O'Toole
Dublin Correspondent
THE Oireachtas meets in special session today to pass the toughest security laws in the history of the state.
The Dail and the Seanad have both been recalled from their summer recesses in the wake of the Omagh tragedy - and will introduce Draconian legislation aimed at crushing the Real IRA.
The legislation to be rushed through the Oireachtas today includes provisions in relation to membership of an unlawful organisation, the right to silence, the creation of new offences, increased powers of detention, unlimited fines and the forfeiture of property where that property is used for storage of firearms or explosives.
One key part of the legislation, published by the government on Monday night, includes an expansion of the state witness protection programme, used in the hunt for the killers of journalist Veronica Guerin in June 1996.
The new measures also include:
limiting the right of silence for paramilitary suspects under questioning. Inference will be drawn from that refusal to answer questions
extending the maximum period of detention under section 30 of the Offences
against the State Act from 48 hours to 96 hours with the authorisation of a district judge.
A number of new offences are to be created under the offences against the state acts of 1939 and 1985.
These include:
>directing an unlawful organisation
>possessing items for purposes connected with specific firearms or explosives offences
>withholding information on offences
>unlawfully collecting information
>training persons in the making or use of firearms or explosives.
The offence of directing terrorism already exists in Northern Ireland and was used to convict loyalist leader Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair in 1995.
The penalty for belonging to a paramilitary group will stay at seven years.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0206
Published Date: 02-Sep-98
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