Minister O’Callaghan to attend launch of the new Central Criminal Court protocol
- Foilsithe: 21 Feabhra 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 12 Aibreán 2025
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan will today (Friday) mark the launch of a new Central Criminal Court protocol at the Criminal Courts of Justice to expediate rape and murder cases involving victims and defendants under 18 years of age.
The protocol was drafted by a working group established in April 2024, chaired by Judge Caroline Biggs. The work was undertaken under the aegis of the Criminal Justice Users’ group which is convened by Judge Paul McDermott. The aim of the protocol is to expedite rape and murder cases involving victims and defendants under 18 years of age. The protocol recognises children’s vulnerability and that delays in the criminal justice system can be detrimental to child victims and child defendants.
The protocol states that in cases involving rape or/and murder involving victims and defendants under 18 years of age reduced timelines for a case to go to trial should be adhered to. The expediated timeline would be 52 weeks approximately and apply to cases in the Central Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ).
Speaking before the launch event for the protocol, Minister O’Callaghan said:
"The introduction of this protocol is a really positive example of how we can work together within the criminal justice system to introduce practical improvements to how certain categories of cases are handled.
“I would like to thank Judge Biggs and Judge Paul Mc Dermott and the other members of the working group for this important piece of work, which I have no doubt will make a significant contribution to how rape and murder cases involving children under 18 years of age will be managed within our courts system.
“The Protocol commits to ambitious deadlines so that cases to which the protocol applies can go to trial and be completed within a time limit of 52 weeks approximately.
“There is no doubt that delays in trials involving children, whether as defendants or the accused, can have a very detrimental impact on the child’s life. This new protocol takes full account of this reality and will make a profound difference.”
As part of the protocol a Court Accompaniment Support Worker will be provided for child defendants by the Youth Diversion Projects funded by the Department of Justice. The Court accompaniment is not an advocacy role, but they will explain in layperson’s terms to the young defendant what is happening at various stages of proceedings.
Notes
Members of the Working Group & Signatories of the Protocol
- Department of Justice
- President of the High Court
- President of the District Court
- An Garda Síochána (AGS)
- Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP)
- Law Society of Ireland
- Bar Council of Ireland
- Tusla – Child And Family Agency
- Heath Service Executive (HSE)
- Children’s Health Ireland
- Courts Service of Ireland
- Victim Support at Court (V-SAC)
- Accompaniment Support Services for Children (ASSC)
- Forensic Services Ireland (FSI)
- The Probation Service
- Oberstown Children Detention Campus
The Protocol will be available on the Courts Service website under the Newsfeed section.