Mandatory sentencing of three years must be introduced for any person convicted of burglary or attempted burglary, a city councillor has demanded, following a spate of burglaries in Bohermore and Westside in recent weeks.
The call has come from Fianna Fáil city councillor Ollie Crowe who described burglary as "a scourge", and said it was "entirely unacceptable for people to be living in fear in their own homes". He has called for the three year sentences, arguing that too often, "offenders receive a sickening light sentence" or "no gaol time at all", while the victims of such actions "remain scarred for years to come". He added: "This does not reflect justice in any way, shape, or form."
Cllr Crowe also warned against the judiciary having any power to avoid imposing the minimum sentence pointing out that minimum jail terms are currently in place for drug crimes, but, due to discretion afforded to judges, are only applied "20 per cent of the time".
