DPP v L [Central Criminal Court]

JurisdictionIreland
Judgment Date19 July 2002
Docket NumberBILL NO. CC0037/02
Date19 July 2002
CourtCentral Criminal Court (Ireland)

THE CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT

BILL NO. CC0037/02

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS
PROSECUTOR
AND
D.L.
ACCUSED
Abstract:

Criminal Law - Practice and Procedure - Deposition - Whether in interests of justice to order the deposition - Criminal Procedure Act. 1967, s. 4F - Criminal Justice Act, 1999, s. 9

Facts: The accused was due to stand trial on rape charges. He sought an order under section 4F of the Criminal Procedure Act 1967 as inserted by section 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 1999 that the prosecutrix appear before a Judge of the District Court so that her evidence might be taken by way of sworn deposition. The applicant argued that the purpose of the deposition was to clarify certain aspects of the evidence of the complainant. No indication was given as to the nature of the clarification sought.

Held by Carney J. in refusing the order sought that the section gave a discretion to the judge and in the instant case it was not in the interests of justice to make such an order.

1

Ruling delivered the 19th day of July 2002 by Carney J.

2

The Accused is due to stand his trial in this Court on February 10th 2003 on charges that he did in January 2002 in the South of Ireland rape G. P. and also that on the same date and at the same place he assaulted her causing her harm.

3

The Accused has been sent forward to this Court for trial under the provisions of Part III of the Criminal Justice Act 1999 which abolished the preliminary examination in the District Court which formerly preceded the return for trial.

4

The Accused seeks an Order under Section 4F of the Criminal Procedure Act 1967 as inserted by Section 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 1999 that the prosecutrix appear before a Judge of the District Court so that her evidence may be taken by way of sworn deposition.

5

Under the former preliminary examination procedure provided for in the Criminal Procedure Act 1967 the Accused’s application would have been granted as of right.

6

In that situation by reason of The State (Sherry) v. Wine 1985 ILRM 196 it would have fallen to the accused through his legal team to examine in chief the person making an allegation of rape against him. This was a manifestly undesirable situation but was the procedure mandated by statute.

7

The application now falls to be determined under Section 4F of the Criminal Procedures Act 1967 as inserted which provides:

8

4F. - (1) At any time after the accused is sent forward for trial, the prosecutor or the accused may apply to the trial Court for an Order requiring a person to appear before a Judge of the District Court so that the person's evidence may be taken either

  • (a) by way of sworn deposition, or

  • (b) in case the person‘s evidence is to be given through a live televisions link pursuant to Part III of the Criminal Evidence Act, 1992, or Section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1999, through such a link,

9

whether or not the person‘s name appears in the list of witnesses served on the accused under Section 4B or 4C.

  • (2) If satisfied that it would be in the interests of justice to do so, the trial Court may order a person who is the subject of an application under subsection (1) to attend before a Judge of the District Court district

    a) in which the offence was committed, or

    b) in which the accused was arrested or resides,

    so that the Judge may take the person's evidence accordingly

  • (3) The following rules shall apply to the taking of evidence under this Section

    a) when the evidence...

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