More criminal retrials are to be allowed under a new Criminal Procedure Bill introduced to the Dail this afternoon by the Justice Minister Dermot Ahern.
The law, which now prevents retrials where a person has been acquitted, is being changed where new and compelling evidence arises such as bribery, perjury, concealment of evidence or intimidation.
The Bill also gives families of crime victims a statutory right to make a statement in court on the impact on the family.
They may also give a statement where the victim has died or is, for various reasons, unable to speak for themselves.
