Northern Ireland victims’ commissioner issues warning over justice delays
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Geraldine Hanna
Northern Ireland’s criminal justice system is “not fit for purpose”, the commissioner designate for victims of crime has said.
Geraldine Hanna, who was appointed to the post a year ago, told the BBC that victims of crime are withdrawing from cases as a result of court delays.
“People talk about the health service being broken, I think our justice system is not far off,” Ms Hanna said.
She added: “Anecdotally from victims and police, I have heard of examples being given where the victim has maybe said that delay has impacted on their decision to withdraw.
“For me, when the people who are going through it are coming away saying they wouldn’t report it again and when we see an increase in that, that for me is a sign that the system is not fit for purpose.”
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