§ Mr. MullinTo ask the Attorney-General if the Northern Ireland Director of Public Prosecutions intends to continue proceedings on the basis of evidence consisting wholly or mainly of uncorroborated confessions in police custody.
§ The Attorney-GeneralIn Northern Ireland, as in England and Wales, there is no general requirement in law that a confession requires to be corroborated before reliance can be placed upon it. In cases where the evidence consists wholly or mainly of an uncorroborated admission or confession made in police custody, the director has regard to all the available facts and circumstances surrounding the making of such an admission or confession. Where the Director is satisfied that there is a reasonable prospect of the admission or confession being admitted in evidence and reliance being placed upon it, and that that evidence is sufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of obtaining a conviction, prosecution is directed or continued if the public interest so requires.