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Families welcome DPP review plan
30.01.08
Story: Inishowen Independent
THE announcement by the Director of Public
Prosecutions that he is to review his office’s
policy of not giving reasons for decisions not to
prosecute, was welcomed yesterday by Annette Duffy
whose son Gavin was one of five killed in a horrific
accident in Quigley’s Point in 2005.
Families of the five young people last week
criticised the DPP’s delay in making a decision
following the investigation into the accident which
killed their loved ones. As yet the families have
had no news in relation to their own case, but they
have welcomed the decision by the DPP to review the
policy in relation to information released. |
Yesterday, Annette
Duffy said she believed the decision by the DPP to
review the policy would be a step forward.
“I think this would be a step forward and even
though it will have to be well thought through I
feel that anyone who has lost a loved one in these
kinds of circumstances will see this as a |
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positive step.”
Mrs. Duffy said it was terrific that the DPP was
asking for submissions on its website. “Even the
fact that there will be discussion about this now is
a positive thing and I’m sure as a group we will
look into making a submission to the DPP,” she
added.
A document published yesterday on the DPP's website,
entitled the “Reasons Project,” seeks submissions
from interested parties on how this could be done
without infringing the rights of accused people and
witnesses.
“Victims of crimes who have complained to the
authorities have felt aggrieved because they are not
told the reasons for decisions not to prosecute,” Mr
Hamilton said.
He added: “I have long felt that if a method of
giving reasons to victims without doing injustice to
others could be devised then, in the interests of
fairness to victims, I should attempt to do so.” |
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