John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I believe the remarks of the Tánaiste are sincere and imagine many people throughout the country will be most comforted by them. They will send a clear message that there is a price to be paid if one violates the home of another. I am not here to make any direct attack on the Judiciary. However, I put it to the Tánaiste that throughout my political life I have spent a good deal of time representing people in court in Waterford city, as have some of my fellow Members. People can be taken aback at some of the sentencing procedures carried out by the Judiciary. How often have people who have burgled homes been seen walking around the streets the following day by the very individuals whose homes had been broken into? They are shocked and bewildered in such circumstances. At times the Garda can prepare very good cases and I have been with gardaí in the District Court, but because a given judge is out of touch, no sentence is applied and the person responsible can go back out and reoffend. I read a report in a local newspaper in Waterford on one person who had reoffended 25 times. I am comforted by the response of the Tánaiste and believe others will be also. I hope that within a short period he will act on my suggestion.

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