Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Minister to engage with the Garda Commissioner on the situation in Mayo. The incidence has greatly spiked in the last few weeks. We are probably ahead of the figures.

Second, I draw the Minister's attention to the remarks by Judge McLoughlin in Castlebar District Court last week in which he pointed to what he perceived as a difficulty with sentencing. He observed that a defendant who was charged with three counts of burglary was due to appear subsequently in Swinford District Court on two further counts and in the previous weeks had been sentenced to 23 months in prison after pleading guilty to seven counts of burglary. The judge observed that the defendant "went on a crime spree" in such a short period to ensure that he could only receive the maximum of 24 months when all the cases came before the court in the same period of time. The judge put the court into recess and examined what sentence he could impose. He sentenced him to one month additional to the 23 months sentence which was imposed in Galway, and a ten month term to run concurrent with the 24 month sentence.

I am aware the Law Reform Commission is reviewing sentencing policy at present, but this is something on which the defendants and criminals appear to be very well versed. Ultimately, however, it is the person whose house has been burgled who must suffer the consequences. Again, I ask the Minister to engage with the Garda Commissioner about the situation in Mayo, which I believe is ahead of the figures. I welcome the allocation of cars. I called for that when I held the justice brief. I hope the Commissioner knows where to send them.

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