Minister Ahern signs Order allowing the Director of Public Prosecution to appeal against decisions to grant bail

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr Dermot Ahern, T.D., has signed an Order amending the bail laws. The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) will now be able to appeal to the High Court against a decision of the District Court to grant bail. The DPP will also be able to appeal against the conditions attached by the District Court to the bail.

Minister Ahern said: "Previously, only the applicant could appeal against a decision of the District Court. I expect the Order will be a very useful and effective addition to the DPP’s powers, especially since almost all bail applications must be made in the District Court. Applications for bail for only a limited set of offences, most notably murder, are made in the High Court.

I am especially pleased that the appeal can be taken against the conditions attached to the bail by the District Court. I hope that this will result in tighter conditions being applied."

24 May 2009

Note to Editors

The amendments were enacted in the Criminal Justice Act 2007, section 19(a). This Order brings them into operation.