AGSI representative Paschal Feeney speaking on Radio 1 now about the proposed televising of major trials.

Obviously it would make compelling tv - but is it of any real benefit?

Neither RTE nor BreakingNews have a link to it but the idea is that the public would get to see how witnesses are intimidated, their private lives exposed, how the Gardaí don't necessarily deserve the criticism they get when trials collapse.

To be honest, I'd like to see more people visit their district and circuit courts for a start. All human life is there.

Kate P wrote:

Obviously it would make compelling tv - but is it of any real benefit?

To be honest, I'd like to see more people visit their district and circuit courts for a start. All human life is there.

Just saw it on the Six One news. And that's the question - would it have any effect? TV like that could appear on youtube and as ringtones on mobile phones but yeah, would it deter them from intimidating witnesses? The risk for the criminal is that it could stir up vigilantism I'd say.

(but then again why doesn't appearance at the courts do that already?)

wow we'll see criminals don't cooperate with the law, like we didn't already know

I love court and court reporting - whether on radio or in the paper. I'd probably be glued to the tv, complaining about how everyone was playing to the camera - but loving every minute of it.

I can't be objective on this, I'm afraid. It's the kind of tv I'd be hooked on.