Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister will be aware, last week, Jozef Puska was convicted of the murder of Ashling Murphy. In common with other people convicted of murder in this country, this individual will be able to apply for parole in 12 years. Ten years has elapsed since the Law Reform Commission recommended that in murder cases, the trial judge should be given power to impose a minimum period of incarceration. From reading its report, it is obvious that the commission had in mind especially heinous cases, such as this one and the case of my constituent Kevin Sheehy, who was murdered in an equally heinous manner, the aftermath of which was very badly handled by the State. Does the Government accept the recommendation of the Law Reform Commission and does it intend to implement it? If so, when will it do so.

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