Seanad debates

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

3:15 pm

Photo of John WhelanJohn Whelan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Members of the Seanad pride themselves on being legislators and I put it to the House today that Ireland's bail laws are a disgrace and are in dire need of an overhaul and a review. I ask the Leader to arrange at the earliest opportunity a discourse with the Minister for Justice and Equality. All Members are aware that people make errors or mistakes and deserve a second chance. The criminal justice system should have education and rehabilitation at its core and foundation, as well as an opportunity for people to get back on the right track in life. However, what this country has at present is that the criminal gangs and criminal elements are driving a coach and four through the bail laws. They are putting what one might see on-screen in an episode of “Love/Hate” in the penny-ha'penny place. It is clear to the Garda and to everyone familiar with the issue that it has got the stage at which there no longer is any deterrent. Gardaí do their job and apprehend people with multiple convictions, who are released out on bail within hours only to set about again with serious criminal activities, including robberies and other serious offences. They are driving up and down the country in high-powered cars while out on bail and are putting families under duress and holding them hostage, robbing shops and raiding old people's homes. The winter evenings are now approaching and the only thing to protect people in the countryside is the community alert text alerts system.

While the Garda is doing its best, what is the point when it apprehends people who already have a string of convictions to their name and are out on bail in respect of other serious charges? I am not talking about petty criminality but about serious matters. What happens is such people are aware that were they commit other crimes, the court would sentence them to concurrent sentences. Therefore, there is no deterrent. indeed it pays them to commit crime while out on bail. I make the point that if the law is an ass, it is making a fool of us all. Members must review radically and overhaul the bail laws because criminals are making fun of them. They are making a laugh of the laws and are conducting a reign of terror while out on bail. It is unacceptable.

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