Courts should be televised, says AGSI

Luke Cassidy

Court proceedings involving murder, manslaughter and kidnapping should be televised so the "public can become more aware of what is being done in the judicial process", garda sergeants and inspectors were told today.

Paschal Feeney, president of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI), made the call to delegates at the union's annual conference in Trim, Co Meath this evening.

Mr Feeney said that in the age where most people get information from a TV or PC-screen it is time that the general public became more fully aware of "the carry-on in our courts".

"They should see at first hand the pressures that witnesses and even victims of crime are placed under," he said.

During his address the AGSI president touched on themes ranging from gangland and juvenile crime to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) and social partnership issues.

Mr Feeney said that while the Agsi fully supports the GSOC they [GSOC] should stop the practise of naming gardaí involved in traffic accidents while off duty. It is "reprehensible and unfair and gives the impression in the public mind that the guard is being investigated for some wrongdoing" Mr Feeney said.

On gangland crime, Mr Feeney said that stopping the intimidation of witnesses was crucial and he called on the Minister for Justice to consider the use of the Special Criminal Court.

The AGSI president was also highly critical of the lack of out-of-hours services for children and teenagers at risk.

Mr Feeney said: "Gardaí are being placed in the invidious position of having to cater for children of all ages, from the very young to teenagers, in garda station buildings, at all hours of the day and night, because of the failure of the State to provide 24/7 efficient services.

"We have raised this issue before, over many years, and we are horrified that our executive members are continuing to report to us that the situation has not improved," he added.

Mr Feeney also called for AGSI to have representation at social partnership talks.

Responding to Mr Feeney's address, the Minister of State at the Department of Justice Seán Power told delegates that the proposals would be considered.

Mr Power also defended the proposed Garda boundary changes which had been criticised earlier in the AGSI conference.

"The move makes sense, and will be an important step in enabling An Garda Síochána work more closely with Local Authorities and the important new Joint Policing Committees, which are due to be rolled out nationwide," he said.