Pubdate: Wed, 03 Jan 2007 Source: Irish Examiner (Ireland) Copyright: Examiner Publications Ltd, 2007 Contact: http://www.irishexaminer.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/144 Author: Shaun Connolly, Political Correspondent JUDGES' DATABASE TO TACKLE LENIENT SENTENCING SENIOR judges yesterday signalled they plan to set up a sentencing database to cross-reference jail terms handed down to major drug dealers after intense criticism they are too lenient. The move follows demands for more consistency in punishments for serious crime from the Director of Public Prosecutions James Hamilton and Justice Minister Michael McDowell. Supreme Court Judge Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan said the judiciary is "looking at the establishment of a sentencing information system along the lines of systems currently being developed in other jurisdictions". However, in response to a request from Government deputy chief whip Billy Kelleher to explain sentencing criteria, Mr Justice Finnegan, president of the High Court, said "public disquiet about inconsistent sentencing is without basis". The issue has caused tension between the Government and the courts in the past two months with many senior judges expressing outrage at what they see as interference in the legal process by staging an organised "vol-au-vents revolt" by refusing to attend a Christmas gathering with Mr McDowell. Cork North-Central TD Mr Kelleher said creating the new database should lead to more consistency, but again warned judges are "too soft" on drug dealers. "It is disturbing that about 80% of serious drug dealers escape the 10-year mandatory minimum sentence for the possession of drugs valued at =8013,000 or more. "A sentencing information system would allow judges to compare sentences for similar offences and examine an offender's sentencing history in the same court or in a different one. "Such systems, used in Scotland, New South Wales in Australia, and the US, would highlight the huge variation in sentences and perhaps foster better consistency in the fight against crime. "When judges turn a blind eye to the sentencing guidelines we set, our legislative purpose is undermined and ordinary people suffer. It's time that judges followed both the letter and spirit of the law and brought themselves in line with the will of the people," Mr Kelleher said. DPP James Hamilton challenged judges to adopt a sentencing policy that would clarify the reasons behind the length of jail terms in a rare public statement last October. Mr Hamilton said ordinary people often saw sentencing as a "lottery" that doled out different penalties for similar crimes. Mr McDowell has criticised judges for not applying the mandatory minimum but he has no power to directly influence the courts. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek