Foreword
This is an excellent source book on criminal law. Sean
Quinn decided that he would take up the challenge of writing a book where
people could find the criminal law of the State. He has achieved his objective;
Criminal Law in Ireland is a
comprehensive overview of the criminal justice system in
This is a wide ranging book, considering
matters of procedure and the substantive law. While not attempting to identify
all areas addressed by the author, the whole panoply of criminal law is laid
out. Long established crimes, such as murder, manslaughter, infanticide, theft
and burglary, are discussed in detail. In addition, there are chapters on the
misuse of computers, money laundering and corruption offences. The matter of
organised crime, a very topical issue, is examined, as are public order
offences. An area of significant importance, the misuse of drugs, is described
in detail. The chapter on road traffic offences will be of particular
assistance to practitioners.
It is often difficult to trace the precise
penalty for an offence. The author has done us all a great service by drawing
up his extensive table on penalties. The offences are set out alphabetically,
followed by their source, and then the penalty. A table such as this is the
product of a great deal of hard work. I am sure it will be appreciated by legal
practitioners and students alike.
The author has taken great care to include
the up-to-date legislation. He provides an important reference point. This
illustrates the true nature of the publication, as a comprehensive source book.
This is a timely publication. Important
changes in the law over recent years are considered. Thus, the introduction of
the defence of diminished responsibility provided for in the Criminal Law
(Insanity) Act, 2006 is addressed. Other recent developments, such as the
Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act, 2008, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences)
Act, 2006 and the Criminal Justice Act, 2007 are analysed.
This publication will be of great
assistance to legal practitioners and students. It is up to date. It addresses
issues traditionally found in texts on the criminal law. It includes
contemporary issues, such as children and the criminal law, and false
accounting and related offences.
I congratulate the author. I recommend this
book to readers of the law, and I have no doubt that it will be a success.
Susan Denham
The Supreme Court
8th July, 2009