DEMOCRATIC Left was fully aware that reform of the bail laws alone would not magically wipe out crime, the Minister for Social Welfare, Mr De Rossa, said yesterday.
Bail reform, however, was intended to complement other initiatives, on policing, the courts and prison policy.
In campaigning for a Yes vote on November 28th, Mr De Rossa said the party was asking voters to restore the situation which existed before the 1966 O'Callaghan judgment - by giving courts the discretion to refuse bail to a person charged with a serious offence where they believed it necessary to prevent the commission of a serious offence by that person.
Opening the DL bail referendum campaign, he believed that, if passed, together with the proposed bail legislation, society would be provided with an essential tool in the fight against crime.
