Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This morning I want to come back to an issue I raised late last year, specifically burglary and the light sentences being handed down for this horrific crime. Just before Christmas in the area in which I live, that is, the Carnmore-Oranmore-Claregalway area, there were 14 burglaries across ten days. They largely followed a similar pattern. It was obvious that prior surveillance was being carried out on the houses. They were not random burglaries. They were planned and targeted with a number each night.

I have spoken with my neighbours and the people in these communities that have been affected. I can only outline this morning the trauma to people. It is not just material items, money, vouchers or jewellery; it is also the sense of peace and comfort that people feel in their own homes. Victims of this crime then see burglars being handed down sentences of six and nine months. On 6 January - this is a matter of public record - a chap with more than 80 convictions got ten months. It is beyond belief that this is happening. The reality is that the sentences do not fit the crime. The Department of Justice has acknowledged this and I have written to it on a number of occasions. The reality is that it is just not working.

When we look at the statistics I received from the Department of Justice, we see that 75% of the crime in this country is being committed by 25% of the people. Naturally, therefore, if they get longer sentences, the crime is automatically going to reduce. That is the reality. As I said, 75% of the crime is being carried out by 25% of the people. It has gone on for far too long and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. I ask the Deputy Leader to ask the Minister, Deputy McEntee, to come to the House at her earliest convenience.