Ireland
The Director of Public Prosecutions has been responsible for prosecution of all indictable criminal offences in Ireland since the enactment of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974. Before 1974 all crimes and offences were prosecuted at the suit of (after action taken by) the Attorney General. The DPP may also issue a certificate that a case should be referred to the Special Criminal Court, a juryless trial court usually reserved for terrorists and organised criminals.
The current Director of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is Claire Loftus. James Hamilton, who had served as DPP for 12 years, announced in July 2011 that he will be taking early retirement and stepped down in November 2011.
List of DPPs since 1974:
- 1974-1999 Eamonn Barnes
- 1999-2011 James Hamilton
- 2011-20?? Claire Loftus (First Woman Director of Public Prosecutions)
Read more about this topic: Director Of Public Prosecutions
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