Human rights watchdog criticises ‘licence-to-kill’ laws

PLANS for ‘licence-to-kill’ laws to protect homeowners against burglars would allow for the shooting of children in an orchard, a leading human rights watchdog claimed yesterday.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) said state law reformers have overstepped the mark with their proposals to allow people to use lethal force to defend their property as well as themselves.

Before an Oireachtas committee, Fianna Fáil’s Sean Connick TD backed an overhaul of existing self-defence legislation, insisting fear had a part to play in discouraging criminals from breaking into homes.