Sinn Féin has passed a motion supporting the use of non-jury courts in very exceptional cases.
Though some party delegates announced their intention to vote against it, party leader Mary Lou MacDonald said it was warranted ‘in exceptional circumstances'.
The party came under fire from some of its own members urging it not to kowtow to the "establishment", possibly referring the other mainstream parties, Fianna Fail and Fianna Gael.
Nevetheless, RTE reports that there is popular support for criminal justice and court reform among the party’s leadership.
Prior to the vote, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said it was "crazy" that the Oireachtas still renews these emergency powers each year.
Due to the extraordinary nature of its powers, the laws underpinning non-jury courts must be renewed annually by the Oireachtas.
Non-jury trials are currently limited to extreme circumstances, such as when terrorism or organised crime cases are heard in the Special Criminal Court, and there is a high chance of jury intimidation.
Sinn Féin has always opposed these trials, many of which were previously used to convict members of he IRA.
In addition to several Ogra Shinn Fein members, a former prisoner voted against the motion.
Seemingly vying with the other two main parties to take a tough stance on crime, Ms McDonald said there has to be a reformed and permanent system, with proper judicial oversight, to prosecute criminal gangs.
See More: Irish Courts, Mary Lou Mcdonald, Sinn Féin
