Irish face discrimination in criminal justice system

Members of the Irish community in mainland Britain are subject to widespread discrimination in the criminal justice system, according to research published today. The report - published by a consortium including the National Association of Probation Officers, the Bourne Trust and the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas - claims that those of Irish descent are more likely to be stopped by police in inner cities than any other ethnic group.

Furthermore, the research claims, the Irish are the group most likely to be the victim of a street crime and are disproportionately represented among miscarriages of justice.

The 56 case histories used in the report detail many instances of stop, search and overnight detention under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which generally resulted in release without charge. Others reveal inappropriate remands into custody, longer sentences than normal and the harassment of Irish travellers.