Mandatory sentence for knife crime -TD
CALL FOR MANDATORY SENTENCES FOR KNIFE CRIME AFTER SASAKI MURDER
LOUTH TD Declan Breathnach has called for controversial ‘mandatory sentencing’, and ‘no bail’ for people convicted of knife or gun crimes.
Speaking in the Dail last week he said it was ‘widely known that there is an increase of over 14% in violent crime in this country.’
‘In my own town of Dundalk, we witnessed the stabbing and killing of Yosuke Sasaki, which made the headlines around the world.’
He added that across the country over the last month, five people have died as a result of stabbings.
‘I am asking that in the criminal justice legislation we provide for zero tolerance, no bail and mandatory sentencing for anybody convicted of a crime relating to use of weapons such as knives and guns. I am asking that those provisions be brought to this House. What is happening is intolerable.’
Minister Richard Buton responded to the proposal saying that he was not aware ‘of any proposal from Government to introduce mandatory sentencing.’
‘ This has been a very controversial issue whereby the Oireachtas seeks to remove discretion from judges to evaluate the individual merits of each case. It would have to be done with very careful consideration.’
He told the Louth TD that he ‘would have to consider with his own party and with others whether such an approach would command support across the House.’
Minister Bruton added: ’I know the Minister of Justice and Equality would have very serious misgivings around mandatory sentencing as a principle. It has not proven particularly effective where it has been introduced. The House would have to give it very serious consideration.
‘ That is in no way to under- state the genuine concern the Deputy has expressed about the increase in violent crime and the need to have effective policing and justice in those cases,’ said the Minister.