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Ireland's serial burglars could face tougher sentences under new proposals

Serial burglars would face tougher penalties under new proposals that are going to Cabinet today....
Newstalk
Newstalk

08.39 15 Apr 2015


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Ireland's serial burgl...

Ireland's serial burglars could face tougher sentences under new proposals

Newstalk
Newstalk

08.39 15 Apr 2015


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Serial burglars would face tougher penalties under new proposals that are going to Cabinet today.

A memo to ministers could see offenders here serve consecutive sentences and come under tougher bail restrictions.

Earlier this year, the Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald described burglary as a heinous crime - and said the government was demanding action against it.

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She has been meeting with senior gardaí on the issue, and will today brief fellow Cabinet members on new proposals to punish offenders.

It is expected they will include District Courts being given the power to hand down consecutive sentences, instead of burglars being given the chance to serve multiple jail terms at the same time.

It could change the sentence, which currently stands at 12 months in the District Court, to up to 14 years on indictment.

Judges would also get more power to refuse bail to serial burglars.

The measures are believed to be the first of a series to be announced between the Department of Justice and gardaí.

Michael Pattwell, a former district court judge, spoke to Lunchtime today about the proposals and he stated that he doesn't think this will work.

He went on to say that the criminals are winning in the system, that even if they are caught they cannot be accommodated in the prisons:
 

Solicitor Frank Buttimer told Newstalk Breakfast there is an onus to treat the crime more seriously.


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