Minister plans overhaul of inquest system
The Minister for Justice plans an overhaul of the penalty system for witnesses who ignore a summons to attend an inquest.
Under new legislation they will face larger fines. The Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, is preparing the new legislation following a review of the coroners’ service.
Witnesses who don’t turn up to an inquest are fined just €6 under present legislation.
The new legislation will increase the penalty and give power to a coroner to apply to the High Court to compel witnesses to attend.
It is also likely that restrictions on the number of medical witnesses will be removed.
