Government unveils proposals to fight crime

THE Government has unveiled a range of proposals to combat crime, drugs and the illegal use of guns.

One of the key proposals is to introduce mandatory minimum sentences of between five and 10 years for a range of gun offences.

These include possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of a firearm while hijacking a vehicle, and production of a firearm to resist arrest.

Other proposals include new offences of “participation” in organised crime and supplying drugs to prisoners. Existing sentences for certain drug trafficking offences would be strengthened, and those convicted would be placed on a new Drug Offenders Register.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell received Cabinet backing for the proposals yesterday, and will bring them before the Oireachtas as amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill.

The Dáil and Seanad have to pass the amended bill for the proposals to come into effect. Last night, Mr McDowell said he hoped they would become law in the first half of next year.

The proposals also include electronic tagging of offenders, although Mr McDowell said this would likely be introduced on a pilot basis first so as to judge the costs involved.

He also conceded that the new offence of participation in organised crime would be difficult to prove. But that did not mean the offence should not be introduced, he stressed.

The Government will offer an amnesty during which people can surrender unlicensed guns before new penalties and fines for such an offence are introduced. But Mr McDowell said the amnesty would not apply to guns used in crimes.

He is also targeting anti-social behaviour. A new offence of attacking emergency workers will be created, and proposals will also be introduced to tackle the illegal use of fireworks. Anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) will also be introduced, although Mr McDowell stressed their application would be more limited than in England.

He said only garda superintendents or above would be able to apply for ASBOs, and they would be restricted to “serious matters” with a maximum life span of two years.

The Minister of State for Children, Brian Lenihan, is finalising proposals to introduce ASBOs for under-18s.

Mr McDowell said the proposals would ensure gardaí had “all the powers” they needed to fight organised crime.