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not slow to inform the “naïve” interviewer accordingly, thus giving the data a certain
integrity.
Focus of the Study
The study proceeds to examine the role of the suspended sentence and the community
service order in Irish sentencing practice. Essentially the study is an examination of the
process of sentencing when these two sanctions are applied, with a viewto understanding
whythe sanctions mayoperate as theydo. The studymakes no claim to an examination of
efficacy of outcome when either sanction is applied. Although the study may highlight
similar sanctions in other jurisdictions and how these may operate under different
conditions, it is not intended that this would be considered a comparative analysis of
similar sanctions across different jurisdictions. Instead, the inclusion of such references in
other jurisdictions is deployed as a heuristic device to understand better the geneses and
individualistic features of the two Irish sanctions and what role these may play in the
overall function of sentencing. Although the community service order and the suspended
sentence are presented as direct alternatives to a custodial sentence, the study proceeds on
the hypothesis that some judges may use the sanction of community service order in a
somewhat different manner as a punishment. Similarly, it is hypothesised that some judges
may utilise the suspended sentence essentially as an instrument of deterrence without any
real intention or likelihood that a custodial sentence would have emerged initially in the
process.
Some Considerations of Method
The selection of methodologies for any study is to a large extent dictated by the enquiry
itself. Moreover, the boundaries of the study and the selectivity of the issues further
promote the emergence of particular methodological approaches. A mere counting of how
many community service orders and suspended sentences which were imposed at each
court level over a defined period of time maygive an initial snapshot of the use of the two
sanctions and, as already noted, these data are not readily available, particularly in relation
to the part suspended sentence and the suspended sentence at District Court level. These
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