Burglar laws ‘betray’ home owners

FINE GAEL last night accused Justice Minister Brian Lenihan of betraying home-owners by dropping proposed new laws that would have made it easierto tackle burglars with violence.

Mr Lenihan has distanced himself from predecessor Michael McDowell’s high-profile plans to “rebalance” the law so that people would have clearer grounds to physically confront intruders. He said it should be left to the courts to determine such matters.

FG justice spokesman Jim O’Keeffe branded the move “irresponsible” and demanded greater rights for home-owners.