Legislation enabling the operation of the Special Criminal Court has been passed by the Seanad on Monday evening.
Legislation enabling the operation of the Special Criminal Court has been passed by the Seanad on Monday evening.
It had been due to lapse within hours and that would have thrown gangland and paramilitary non-jury trials into chaos.
New Justice Minister Helen McEntee proposed the renewal of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act’s provisions.
She said: “The Garda assessment is that there remains a real and persistent threat from republican paramilitary groups on this island.
“The threat level in Northern Ireland from these groups is currently regarded as severe.
“We know these groups oppose peace and democracy; and regrettably they remain committed to violence and criminality.”
Sinn Fein abstained from the Dail vote on the legislation last week having previously opposed it.
