Independent election candidate for the Ballyragget Electoral Area Ger Ferris has called for a penalty points system to be introduced to deal with petty criminals in our society.
He said that the country has reached a period in history when there is a lack of respect for the law and for communities and people living alone.
“The old and the vulnerable are now the target of the criminals in our society and this will increase in the recessionary times. We need zero tolerance for all crime. There is a need for stronger measures to deal with perpetrators of crime. We are not going to get extra resources made available in the current economic climate, so we need the legislation to be powerful and effective. I am proposing a penalty point’s system for offenders. The points would be awarded on court convictions along with the punishment for each conviction. We are all familiar with the amount of repeat offenders while out on bail. This has to stop now.
“I am proposing, when a criminal receives five penalty points, their passport and driving licence are revoked and will not be returned until the points have been rescinded over a period similar to the penalty points for driving offences. When an individual receives 10 penalty points there should be a mandatory sentence of ten years in prison without any possibility of appeal or early release.
“The number of penalty points awarded at each court conviction should reflect the crime. The more heinous the crime the more points should be awarded. We must have deterrents, which will instil respect for the law and those whose duty it is to enforce it. Following the death of Garda Robert McCallion, and the shooting of Roy Collins, it is time to say enough is enough. We cannot stand idly by and allow this to continue.
“I am calling on the Government and the Minister of Justice to amend the laws as a matter of urgency to have punishments, which reflect the crimes being perpetrated,” he concluded.
