Director of Public Prosecutions (Ireland)

The agency was founded in 1974, assuming prosecutorial functions previously held by the Attorney General of Ireland.

It is responsible for conducting reviews of files prepared by law enforcement agencies including the Garda Síochána and deciding whether to prosecute.

The original powers of prosecution were vested with the Attorney General of Ireland under the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924.

It was introduced by John M. Kelly, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave, with the stated dual aim of creating an impartial agency and to refocus the Office of the Attorney General to the provision of legal advice to the government.

At the time, some politicians and members of the media suggested that there was "political patronage" given to barristers who were acting a prosecutors in trials.

[6] Barnes' retirement and his replacement by James Hamilton coincided with a change in policy, where a Victims' Charter was adopted and the office began issuing occasional reasons for non-prosecution.

[21] Barristers are selected by the DPP to be employed as prosecution counsel to conduct advocacy in courts.

The DPP considers decisions to prosecute on the basis of the amount of evidence and what is judged to be in the public interest.

[29] The DPP states its aim as being "to ensure that a just verdict is reached at the end of the trial process and not to strive for a conviction at all costs.

It responsible for preparing books of evidence, attending trial and liaising with parties and other agencies and dealing with appeals.

[31] Within the Prosecution Support Services Division, there is an International Unit which handles European Arrest Warrants, bilateral extraditions, and Mutual Legal Assistance requests.