Barrister warns over ‘body on a slab’ comments

A criminal barrister said a “body on a slab” approach to burglars as recommended by a councillor would be a “blank card” to homeowners to shoot anyone in their homes.

Michael O’Higgins SC was responding to comments by Galway city councillor Pádraig Conneely, who called on people to “take a stand” when confronting intruders.

Mr Conneely, who is chairman of the city’s joint policing committee, sparked strong reaction after he said: “I believe one body laid out on a slab after a robbery would put an end to robberies in the area pretty lively.”

Speaking on RTÉ radio, Mr Conneely expanded and said: “I think it’s a matter of who can strike first. I think if you pull the trigger first, that’s the end of it. I’m saying what people are thinking. I think a stand has to be taken. I think serious action has to be taken and I think serious action will be taken. I think people will take action in their own homes when they find an intruder.”

Responding, Mr O’Higgins said: “That would be a blank card to start shooting anyone who comesinto your house.” He said there would be a whole range of unintended, and deadly, consequences.

“What happens if the bullet misses and travels through a paper thin wall and kills a child or say there’s a struggle and the gun goes off in the arc of everyone in the house. It’s not practical.”

He said the Criminal Law (Defence and Dwelling) Act 2011 had broadened the rights of homeowners to use reasonable force.

Meanwhile, the Irish Farmers’ Association accused Justice Minister Alan Shatter of having “no interest whatsoever in combating rural crime”.

IFA president John Bryan said Dublin crime gangs were targeting rural homes because of dwindling garda presence outside the capital.

“A lot of Dublin’s criminal gangs have moved their operations to rural Ireland because they know they’re facing a reduced Garda presence,” he said.