Legislation on homeowners’ rights due early 2007

LEGISLATION on the rights of homeowners to defend their property from intruders is likely to be published early in 2007.

Thursday’s acquittal of Mayo farmer Pádraig Nally, on a manslaughter charge relating to the October 2004 death of John ‘Frog’ Ward, has re-opened the debate about how much force a householder should be allowed to use when confronted by an intruder.

Legislation on the matter was already in the pipeline before the current controversy erupted and the Criminal Law (miscellaneous provisions) Bill is due to be brought before the Oireachtas by Tánaiste and Justice Minister Michael McDowell in the coming months.