Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I move amendment No. 145:

In page 63, between lines 43 and 44, to insert the following:

"(7) Subsections (2) to (6) of this section apply and have effect in relation to a person convicted of a first offence under this section (other than a person who falls under subsection (8)(b) of this section), and accordingly references in those first-mentioned subsections to an offence under this section are to be construed as references to a first such offence.

(8) A person (except a person under the age of 18 years)-

(a) who is convicted of a second or subsequent offence under this section, or

(b) who is convicted of a first offence under this section and has been convicted of an offence under section 15 of the Principal Act, section 26, 27 or 27B of this Act or section 12A of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990,

shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than 5 years.".

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