Terry There is much debate about sentencing in the criminal courts in Ireland and the severity or otherwise of sentences handed down in criminal courts. To understand better how sentences are arrived at in criminal cases it is important to understand that the goal of a sentence in a criminal case is to deter the criminal … Read more
Before looking at bail and how it is used in the criminal prosecution system in Ireland, lets first take a look at what bail is. Bail is the releasing of a person from custody in return for which the accused person undertakes to pay a sum of money to the court if he does not … Read more
There are two broad categories of criminal offences recognised in Ireland-summary offences and indictable offences. Summary offences Summary offences are dealt with by the summary procedure in the District Court and are minor offences. What are minor offences? Minor offences are not defined in the Constitution or in the statute books but generally minor offences … Read more
The powers of the Gardai in relation to investigating crime in Ireland are quite extensive. These powers include the power to stop you and make reasonable inquiries, the power to stop and search and seize evidence, to enter and search your premises and of course the powers of detention and arrest. The power to stop … Read more
Solicitors’ fees can generate a lot of anger and frustration for people trying to understand how legal fees are calculated. Section 68 of the Solicitors (Amendment) Act of 1994 used to set out how solicitors are permitted to charge for services provided to their clients. S. 68 compels the solicitor to let the client know, … Read more