G. Redmond conviction quashed - time to stop the tribunals?

## Quote: The Appeal Court said today that had the new evidence of bank records been available to the trial's jury, there was at least a very strong possibility that this evidence would have raised a reasonable doubt in the jury's minds. The court considered the conviction unsafe and unsatisfactory and quashed Mr Redmond's conviction on both charges. ##

Redmond and Lawlor are arguably the only real recipients of any form of conviction/punishment as a result of the ongoing corruption tribunals. Given the phenomenal costs and durations involved, and if any related convictions from due process are at risk, is there a case to answer for calling a halt to all the tribunals?

What have we as a society gained from all this time and expenditure?

The first stage findings of the inquiry into certain Donegal gardai were dramatic, though hardly surprising. Even so, very little sign of heads rolling or people coming clean as a result.

I think we are in a dangerous cycle of calling tribunals as a first resort, then having the process used as an excuse not to anwer any questions while the process rumbles on...interminably.

B.

tribunals

In point of fact, two very senior gardai have been forced to retire early and the careers of others are effectively finished within the force.

Also Ray Burke pleaded guilty to submitting false tax returns - would never have happened without Tribunal finding against him surely.

Would agree with your general point that we are spending too much money on tribunals.

Re: tribunals

What have we as a society gained from all this time and expenditure?

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Er, about €1,500,000,000 in back taxes and penalties from tax cheats exposed, at least partially, by tribunals and enquiries.

tribunals

I think we are in a dangerous cycle of calling tribunals as a first resort, then having the process used as an excuse not to answer any questions while the process rumbles on...interminably.

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not just that, I am concerned that no one can ever come away from a tribunal with their reputation intact. Anything can be said about you and reported in the media but no headlines will ever run if your name is cleared on page 528 of a judges report.
It is a form of McCarthyism.

If people have done wrong and broken the law why can't the Gardi investigate or if we must set up a statuary body why can't we use the French of Italian models of investigating magistrates?

What we have now is a bunch of over paid, self serving and institutionally corrupt lawyers who are accountable to no one but themselves running a gravy train over the political system of this country. (and if that last comment isn't inflammatory I don't know what is!)

Also Ray Burke pleaded guilty to submitting false tax returns - would never have happened without Tribunal finding against him surely.

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yes, if only we had a criminal assets bureau we could have saved all that money!
But rant over and all that, all we have done is bring so much stuff into the public domain that no impartial jury could be found to sit at the trial of any of these guys.
No punishment, no accountability, just a bunch of legal fat cats crying because there isn't a big enough house left to buy in Ballsbridge.

Re: tribunals

Although, having just read purple's post, i'd have to concede it might have been done a bit cheaper!!