Sir - Mr John Newman, in his, letter to you on November 19th, has fallen victim to the scaremongering of the Anti Bail Campaigners. Mr Newman can rest' easy. He need not worry about being "detained in custody pending trial for an indeterminate period". This referendum on bail simply introduces a third ground upon which bail can be refused.
An accused can already be refused bail on the grounds of the likelihood of fleeing the country or interfering with witnesses. This referendum will simply extend that to include a third ground - i.e. the likelihood that the accused will commit serious crimes while on bail. It will be up to a judge to refuse bail to such a person, if there are serious grounds for believing that person would commit another serious crime on bail.
Taxpayers need have no fear about changes in the Constitution which will allow judges to refuse bail to hardened criminals, who at the moment have free rein to extend their criminal careers under cover of our current lax bail laws. The referendum will not solve all crime, but it will prevent at least some ruthless criminals from reoffending. Let's show the criminals that we mean business.
Yours, etc.,
Watson Drive,
Killiney,
Co Dublin.