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Implement Martin Report - Law
Society
Technology News
(Cont'd from page 69)
Further Reading
Show down at the WP Corral: Charles
Christian New Law Journal 12th July
1991.
The Windows of Opportunity: Julian
Patterson The Independent (London)
23 April, 1991.
Is this a Gooey Wimp I see before
me?: Charles Christian New Law
Journal 8 February, 1991.
Windows are opened on a Wider
World: Brian TYench Sunday Business
Post 12 January, 1992.
This column is contributed by
members of the Technology Advisory
Group, an informal grouping of
solicitors who, with the approval of
the Technology Committee of the Law
Society, seek to promote awareness
and use of technology within the
profession. Further details from the
Honorary Secretary, John Furlong,
c/o William Fry, Solicitors,
Fitzwilton House, Wilton Place,
Dublin 2.
•
Solicitors Benevolent
Association
(Continued from page 64)
We are always grateful for donations
and are on the receiving end of the
proceeds of many functions
organised by various societies within
the profession without which we
would run into a serious deficit. Last
year
Pat Treacy
ran a pilot golf
outing in Nenagh and
Cathy
O'Donnell
and
Oonagh Sheridan
organised a "scramble" in Newlands
both of which were successful and
enormously enjoyable. There are four
outings being organised this year, in
Waterford, the Connemara Golf
Course, Dundalk and Dublin
(Newlands), the idea being that
solicitors' clients, friends or relatives
would be included.
Keep up the support.
Clare Leonard, BCL, LLB, solicitor,
is principal of the firm of Leonard
Solicitors, 40 Fitzwilliam Square,
Dublin 2.
|—I
The Criminal Law Committee of the
Law Society has requested the new
Minister for Justice, Mr.
Padraig
Flynn,
to implement without delay
the main recommendations of the
Report of the Martin Committee of
Enquiry into certain aspects of
Criminal Procedure.
In a statement to the press the
committee said:-
" The "Martin Report" published in
March 1990, - almost two years ago
- concluded that there was a real
need to introduce a procedure for the
review of cases where new evidence
raised questions about an earlier
verdict. While noting that such cases
were rare, the Martin Report
concluded that the use of normal
court procedure was not appropriate
for any such review. The Martin
Committee, therefore, recommended
the establishment of an enquiry body
to which cases could be referred by the
Attorney General in circumstances
where fresh evidence was available that
merited consideration.
" The Law Society supports this
recommendation as it considers that it
is an essential feature of the fair
administration of justice that there
is a procedure to correct miscarriages
of justice, however rare these might be.
It is unsatisfactory that, at present, if
normal appeals procedures have been
exhausted there is no mechanism by
which a case can be re-opened if fresh
evidence comes to light.
" The Law Society suggests that in
addition to the Attorney General, the
Houses of Oireachtas, acting on a
joint resolution, should also have the
power to refer a case to the proposed
enquiry body.
" The Law Society also fully
supports the second main
recommendation of the Martin
Committee i.e., that the questioning of
suspects by the Gardai should be
audio-visually recorded. The Law
Society believes that such procedures
would allay the fears of innocent
persons on their first experience of
being questioned by the Gardai. It
would also lessen the opportunities for
experienced members of the criminal
fraternity to successfully challenge at
the subsequent trial statements made
by them to the Gardai during
questioning.
The Society therefore urges the
Minister to introduce a pilot scheme of
audio-visual recording without delay."
•
At a Presentation to William A. Crowley, Solicitor, Killorglin, Co. Kerry to mark his 5
years in practice were: - Standing L-R: Michael Connell, Chairman, Kerry Law Societ
Angela Condon, Solicitor, Killorglin, (daughter of Mr. Crowley); and Joseph & Mannix
Honorary Secretary and TYeasurer, Kerry Law Society. Seated LrR: Louise McDonag
County Registrar; William A. Crowley; Donal E. Browne, President, Kerry Law Societ
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