Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I join Senator Terry in calling for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to come to the House. There is significant concern at the escalation of juvenile crime and the fact that young people, especially young men, are targeted for beatings. Last week a 72 year old widow in Sligo was jumped on by three young men on her way home from mass. She had nothing in her bag apart from a pension book, a set of rosary beads, €5 in cash and the keys to her house. She is lying in a hospital in Sligo where she suffered a stroke. A garda in Sligo asked what people like me are doing about it. Such events no longer even make headlines in local newspapers. If we allow this to happen it is a sad day for Ireland. Other people have spoken about planning issues, but if the fabric of society is to be threatened—