Menu
16/04/2015
FF Publish Bill Calling For Tougher Burglary Sentences
Convicted burglars should face a mandatory three-year prison term, with repeat offenders facing a minimum of seven years, Fianna Fáil have proposed in a new Bill published today.
The party's spokesperson on Justice, Niall Collins, has publish the Burglary Bill 2015, introducing tougher sentences for burglary offences in a bid to crack down on the surge in the crime in both urban and rural areas.
According to Deputy Collins, criminals convicted of burglary are regularly walking free after receiving suspended sentences. The Fianna Fáil spokesperson has expressed concern that the belated attempts by Government to address the issue at Cabinet today may not be tough enough.
"At the moment criminals convicted of burglary are going before the courts and being put right back on the streets with suspended sentences. The penalties aren't nearly tough enough to deter criminals and discourage repeat offences.
"It is unacceptable that we are allowing these criminals to walk free at a time when many older people living alone have said they are afraid in their own homes," Deputy Collins said.
"Under our proposals, there would be a minimum of three years in jail for anyone convicted of burglary and a minimum of seven years jail time for those convicted of a third burglary offence. Anyone who is convicted of using a vehicle during a burglary will be disqualified from driving for two years.
"I welcome the fact that the Minister for Justice finally appears to be waking up to the wave of burglaries in communities across the country over the past number of years. However from the reports so far, I am concerned that these changes will not go far enough to act as a significant deterrent to burglars.
(MH/JP)
The party's spokesperson on Justice, Niall Collins, has publish the Burglary Bill 2015, introducing tougher sentences for burglary offences in a bid to crack down on the surge in the crime in both urban and rural areas.
According to Deputy Collins, criminals convicted of burglary are regularly walking free after receiving suspended sentences. The Fianna Fáil spokesperson has expressed concern that the belated attempts by Government to address the issue at Cabinet today may not be tough enough.
"At the moment criminals convicted of burglary are going before the courts and being put right back on the streets with suspended sentences. The penalties aren't nearly tough enough to deter criminals and discourage repeat offences.
"It is unacceptable that we are allowing these criminals to walk free at a time when many older people living alone have said they are afraid in their own homes," Deputy Collins said.
"Under our proposals, there would be a minimum of three years in jail for anyone convicted of burglary and a minimum of seven years jail time for those convicted of a third burglary offence. Anyone who is convicted of using a vehicle during a burglary will be disqualified from driving for two years.
"I welcome the fact that the Minister for Justice finally appears to be waking up to the wave of burglaries in communities across the country over the past number of years. However from the reports so far, I am concerned that these changes will not go far enough to act as a significant deterrent to burglars.
(MH/JP)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 October 2019
28 Arrests Made In Operation Thor Investigation In Kilkenny And Carlow
Gardaí have arrested 28 people in counties Kilkenny and Carlow as part of an Operation Thor investigation. A series of planned searches were carried out in a number of locations in both counties.
28 Arrests Made In Operation Thor Investigation In Kilkenny And Carlow
Gardaí have arrested 28 people in counties Kilkenny and Carlow as part of an Operation Thor investigation. A series of planned searches were carried out in a number of locations in both counties.
28 June 2019
17 People Arrested In Warrants Search Operations
Gardaí have arrested 17 people in a series of raids in the Tallaght and Rathfarnham areas. Garda staged a "day of action" on Thursday 27 June in an operation targeting people wanted by the courts for various drugs, burglary, theft, road traffic offences and public order matters offences.
17 People Arrested In Warrants Search Operations
Gardaí have arrested 17 people in a series of raids in the Tallaght and Rathfarnham areas. Garda staged a "day of action" on Thursday 27 June in an operation targeting people wanted by the courts for various drugs, burglary, theft, road traffic offences and public order matters offences.
16 September 2016
Cocaine Seized In Inchicore
Gardaí have seized cocaine with an estimated value of €23,000 in the Roscommon/Longford area. The drugs were seized following a planned search of a premises at Emmet Lodge, Inchicore, Dublin, on Thursday afternoon.
Cocaine Seized In Inchicore
Gardaí have seized cocaine with an estimated value of €23,000 in the Roscommon/Longford area. The drugs were seized following a planned search of a premises at Emmet Lodge, Inchicore, Dublin, on Thursday afternoon.
23 April 2015
Two Prison Officers Injured In Attack
Two prison officers have been injured in an unprovoked attack by an inmate at Mountjoy Prison, the Irish Prison Service has confirmed. The attack took place at approximately 8:30am on Thursday morning. The inmate, currently serving a four-year term for aggravated burglary, used an improvised weapon in the attack.
Two Prison Officers Injured In Attack
Two prison officers have been injured in an unprovoked attack by an inmate at Mountjoy Prison, the Irish Prison Service has confirmed. The attack took place at approximately 8:30am on Thursday morning. The inmate, currently serving a four-year term for aggravated burglary, used an improvised weapon in the attack.
30 January 2015
Garda Raids Launch Across Dublin
Gardaí investigating a series of burglaries across Dublin have arrested a man and woman this morning. The arrests were made during a series of searches launched on Friday morning at 7am.
Garda Raids Launch Across Dublin
Gardaí investigating a series of burglaries across Dublin have arrested a man and woman this morning. The arrests were made during a series of searches launched on Friday morning at 7am.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
