Review Recommends Banning Public From Sexual Offence Trials

A report into the law and procedures surrounding serious sexual offences in Northern Ireland has recommended restricting the public's access to trials.

The Gillen Review, which commenced last May, has independently scrutinised how courts operate in cases of serious sexual offences.

Sir John Gillen, a former Lord Justice of Appeal led the study. It comes after the high profile case which saw former Ulster Rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding found not guilty.

16 key recommendations have emerged from the review. Most notably, public access would be largely confined to close family members of the complainant and the defendant, however access for bona fide members of the press would be maintained.

The use of early pre-recorded cross-examination would also be introduced, initially in the case of children and vulnerable adults, and conducted away from the court setting. Another recommendation would see new legislation developed to manage the dangers of social media and increase jury awareness of the risks it creates.

DoJ Permanent Secretary and Board Chairman Peter May welcomed the report as "ground-breaking". He said: "Given the wide-ranging nature of this important report, which covers a broad span of justice issues, the Department and other agencies to which the recommendations apply, will want to take time to carefully study it before formally responding."

Peter May went on to announce the establishment of a new group which will guide and set the strategic direction of the Department's work on sexual violence.

He said: "Aspects of sexual violence impact right across the justice system. To ensure a coherent, co-ordinated approach to dealing with sexual violence, the Department has established a Sexual Violence Reduction Group. A key task of the group will be to oversee the implementation of the Gillen Review."



(JG/CM)