Do SF candidates support the courts? – O’Donovan

“All Sinn Fèin candidates planning to go before the people need to state if they share their party leader’s attitude to the justice system or if they support the courts?”, says Fine Gael TD for Limerick, Patrick O’Donovan.

“Sinn Fèin leader, Gerry Adams has confirmed again his disdain for the courts and given us an insight into his party’s contempt for the rule of law and his disregard for the safety of citizens.

“The Special Criminal Court was established to ensure those engaged in terrorism could be prosecuted without the law being subverted and the decision to use this court to prosecute tax evasion in this case was upheld by the Supreme Court.

“Gerry Adams believes all citizens, no matter how likely they are to subvert the course of justice, should have the right to be judged by a jury, suggesting that Sinn Fèin in Government would abolish the Special Criminal Court.

“ The abolition of the Special Criminal Court as advocated by Gerry Adams would place all citizens called to jury service in particular cases and their family members at risk.

“Sinn Fèin candidates need to be clear with the people about their attitudes to the courts and the justice system in this country.”