Eugene’s Blog: Witnesses who lie under oath have no fear of prosecution

Yesterday during Order of Business in the Seanad, I raised the issue of perjury following the previous night’s television documentary on the Frank Shortt case.

Mr Shortt was wrongly convicted of an offence in 1995 and the conviction was overturned ten years later. It emerged during the Morris Tribunal which investigated the Shortt case that two detectives had lied under oath, or perjured themselves.

Perjury is a criminal offence, but people are not being prosecuted for this crime. In fact, there have been just two prosecutions in recent years, in 2004 and 2007.

Truthful statements in the Dáil are essential to effective democracy, while truthful statements in the Courts and Tribunals are essential to the proper administration of justice.

We hear of cases referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions, yet there are few or no prosecutions because lying on oath is not viewed as a serious crime.

I call on the Minister for Justice to address this issue and refer the matter to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Development of Dun Laoghaire Baths

Development of Dun Laoghaire Baths 

I am delighted to see that the much anticipated feasibility study on the site of Dun Laoghaire Baths by Dutch Consultancy Firm Royal Haskoning, has been released. 

As Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in 2007, I oversaw the appointment of Royal Haskoning as advisors on a sensitive development of the entire coastline from the East pier in Dun Laoghaire to Sandycove Green. 

For far too long, our seafront’s enormous potential has not been fully realised. After the rejection by Councillors in 2005 of the former County Manager’s plan, we knew that a new approach was needed. Royal Heskoning, drawing upon their international experience, have indeed delivered a fresh and dynamic proposal. 

Of particular importance is the proposal for the area around Dun Laoghaire Baths which would involve the construction of a contemporary landmark structure along with the development of a plaza with space for seating and artistic performances. The proposal for a Lagoon Beach between the site of the old baths and the East Pier, which would be surrounded by maritime botanic gardens is also an exciting concept. 

This project must be co-financed by central Government funding and the Council’s own development levies. The Sutton-Sandycove cycleway and walkway component of the project is key to securing central Government funding. 

The Report, which should go for public consultation, outlines a much more acceptable vision for the coastline than that put forward by the former County Manager and rejected by Councillors in 2005.

Eugene’s Blog

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Eugene