Evidence

  • Overview of the various types of evidence that can be introduced in a civil or criminal trial in Ireland.
  • There are rules in Ireland about how the scene of a serious crime is preserved and investigated. Read about these rules and what happens if the crime scene is on private property or in a public place.

  • This document discusses real evidence, which is material, tangible evidence, such as an object, tape recording, computer printout, photograph or forensic evidence.

  • Documentary evidence is evidence that contains a record of some kind. What does this include and how is this evidence admissable in court?

  • Identification evidence includes evidence given by a victim or a witness that identifies the accused as the person who committed the crime. It also covers other ways of identifying suspects such as fingerprint evidence and DNA evidence.

  • DNA evidence is often used in trials in Ireland to establish identity. Find out about DNA evidence, DNA testing and the DNA database.

  • Circumstantial evidence is evidence of facts from which conclusions can be drawn in a criminal trial in Ireland.

  • Suspect evidence is evidence that is admissable in court but there is a risk that it may turn out to be untrue or incorrect.

  • What is hearsay evidence? Why can this evidence not be introduced in court in most cases and what are the exceptions where hearsay evidence can be admitted?

  • Evidence that has been collected in deliberate and conscious breach of your constitutional rights cannot be admitted in courts in Ireland.

  • There are certain circumstances under which you can refuse to disclose documents to a court in Ireland or may refuse to answer certain questions in court.