Publication date:
The opening of the Omagh Chambers of the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) is part of the social contract that exists between government and the public to put in place an effective criminal justice system, the Attorney General, the Rt Hon Baroness Scotland QC said today.
The Attorney General joined the Director of Public Prosecutions, Sir Alasdair Fraser CB QC, and Roger Davison, Assistant Director and Regional Prosecutor at the official opening of this, the fourth regional office of the PPS.
She said: “This is an important day for the PPS in Northern Ireland and marks another milestone in the roll out of a regional, independent public prosecution service.
“This was one of the key recommendations in the Criminal Justice Review and today’s opening of these chambers is a further fulfilment of that commitment.
“It builds on the social contract that exists between Government and the public to put in place an effective criminal justice system.
“The goal is now to build public confidence in the system.
“Having a regional office is key to engaging with local communities and helps to build close relationships with its local partners in the criminal justice system.
“It provides a platform for closer links with local voluntary groups that provide information and support for victims and witnesses and will seek to integrate into the system the very valuable contributions those groups make.”
The Criminal Justice Review recommended that the new PPS would be responsible for carrying out all prosecutions.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Sir Alasdair Fraser said; “I believe that the Public Prosecution Service lies at the heart of the criminal justice system and it is essential for society that it provides a service which is independent, fair and effective.
“There is also a determination to work closely with the community which we serve. The development of regional offices makes us increasingly accessible to the community and gives us, for the first time, the opportunity to reach out to the community to explain what we do.”
Outlining the role of the Omagh office, Assistant Director and Regional Prosecutor, Roger Davison said: “Those of us who work in Omagh Chambers are anxious to provide a first class service to the people of Fermanagh and Tyrone.
“We realise that people have a strong desire that justice be done. We also realise the need for an effective criminal justice system if there is to be stability in society.
“This new regional office will increase accessibility, openness and accountability to the community which it serves and we will actively promote our services to victims and witnesses.”