The likelihood that an accused will interfere with witnesses or evidence is already recognised by our courts as a ground on which bail may be refused.
I would also point out that section 41 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1999, created a statutory offence, punishable by up to ten years imprisonment, for a person to intimidate another person who is assisting in the investigation by the Garda Síochána of an offence, or is a witness or potential witness or a juror or potential juror in proceedings for an offence, or a member of his or her family, with the intention of causing the investigation or the course of justice to be obstructed, perverted or interfered with.
In addition the Deputy will be aware that the Bail Act, 1997, was passed into law by the Oireachtas in May 1997. It gave effect to the terms of the Sixteenth Amendment of the Constitution which provided for additional power to be given to the courts to refuse bail. Some provisions of the Act were brought into operation in 1998 and I am pleased to say that following my signature of an order to that effect, I have brought the Act fully into operation with effect from 15 May 2000.