06/09/2013

Shatter To Publish DNA Database Bill

Under new legislation, those convicted of serious offences would be required to give a DNA sample, which would then be held on a centralised database.

A cabinet meeting held yesterday approved the new Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database) Bill, which will now be published by Minister for Justice Alan Shatter next Tuesday.

Currently, DNA evidence can be used to connect a suspect to a crime, however gardaí can only collect a DNA sample after they have shown firm grounds for suspicion. They DNA can then be used to corroborate DNA evidence collect from a crime scene.

Previous governments have made promises to establish a central DNA database, which are widely used most EU countries.

(MH/CD)

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