Eleven people charged under amended fireworks legislation

SOME 11 people have been charged under newly amended fireworks legislation as part of a major garda crackdown.

More than 30 seizures have so far been carried out under Operation Tombola since it was established on 25 September last.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell said the seizures had netted almost €90,000 worth of illegal fireworks.

The countrywide operation is considered to have had a significant impact with gardaí reporting less explosion of fireworks in many communities previously blighted by the problem.

Mr McDowell said that 11 court proceedings had been taken under Operation Tombola for offences under the Explosives Act 1875.

These offences, which were criticised as being out of date and ineffectual, were amended, and tougher penalties introduced, under the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which came into effect on August 1.

The minister said that part 6 of the act made it an offence to ignite a firework in a public place or to throw an ignited firework at a person or property.

Both offences are punishable by a maximum €10,000 and/or up to five years in jail.

It also made it an offence for a person to possess a firework for the purpose of selling it or otherwise supplying it without an import licence. This offence is also punishable with a possible €10,000 fine and a five-year jail term.

The minister said that under Operation Tombola, each assistant commissioner across the country developed initiatives to prevent and detect the supply of fireworks in conjunction with senior management.

“All operational gardaí, together with dedicated resources specifically deployed for this Operation, are tasked with preventing and detecting such offences,” said the minister.

He said that over the last five years more than €2 million-worth of illegally imported fireworks had been seized.

“I am confident that with the introduction of the new offences and new penalties the Garda operations will be even more successful in combating the illegal importation, sale and use of fireworks.

“My Department is currently running a nationwide advertising campaign aimed at highlighting the dangers of fireworks and the new increased penalties for their illegal use. This campaign will run up to Halloween.”