Sir, - In your editions of January 14th, Judge Cyril Kelly of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court is quoted as saying that the number of trial courts available on the second day of term was the same as 30 years ago when there was "20 times less crime". According to McCullagh in "Crime in Ireland" (1996), the total number of indictable offences reported to the Gardai in 1961 was 14,818, while in 1991 the total was 94,406. This represents a 537 per cent increase, a figure that might be more alarming if one did not take into consideration the enormous social changes that have taken place over the same period, particularly with regard to the increased urbanisation of society. Indeed, since 1981, there has been very little change in the crime figures.
Such observations made by a member of the judiciary and reported in a national newspaper can only add to the public's misconceived belief that crime is escalating out of control. Any member of the legal profession will agree that more courtrooms are desperately needed and that conditions, particularly in the "clearing" court of Court 24, where Judge Kelly presides, are appallingly cramped and overcrowded. However, the learned judge should perhaps be wary of inadvertently increasing public hysteria by proffering as fact an opinion which has no basis in reality, but which due to his position is given more credibility than it would otherwise merit. - Yours, etc.,
Michelle Tracey,
Park House, Patrick Street, Dublin 8.