Labour TD sacked as assistant whip over stance on gangland laws

LABOUR deputy Tommy Broughan faces a €6,000 pay cut after being sacked from his position as assistant party whip because of his stance on new laws to tackle gangland crime.

The Dublin North East TD abstained from voting on the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill in a Dáil vote last Friday despite a decision by his party to oppose the controversial legislation which will see gang members tried in the non-jury Special Criminal Court.

Mr Broughan said at the weekend that he defied his party’s stance because of his “gut feeling” that very strong measures are required to tackle gangland crime which has been a problem in the constituency he represents.