Call for tougher bail laws for violent crimes

The brother of a young mother, murdered alongside her children, has called for newly announced tougher sentencing and bail laws for burglars to also be applied for more violent crimes.

The Cabinet yesterday agreed the new laws to target prolific burglars. Bail will be denied to those with previous convictions facing two or more charges.

Offenders could also serve consecutive jail terms for multiple offences.

John Whelan welcomed the crackdown. But he also pointed out the killer of his sister and nieces was serving only one life sentence for taking three lives.

Sharon Whelan and her daughters Zarah, 7, and Nadia, 2, were murdered by postman Brian Hennessy on Christmas morning in 2008.

Hennessy is serving one life sentence after he succeeded in overturning his sentences to serve three terms concurrently. He could be released after serving 12 years.

Mr Whelan, chairman of a support group for families of victims of homicide AdVic, acknowledged yesterday’s announcement but said more could be done.

He told the Irish Examiner: “We’d be hopeful that it is carried onto sentencing for people guilty of murder or manslaughter. We’d really like to see this broadened out for any violent crime. It would send a clear message to society, it’s long overdue.”

He noted previous research had shown that a large number of murders committed over several years in Ireland had revealed killers had been out on bail at the time.

“Sharon’s killer is serving one life sentence for taking three lives, but we don’t know which one he is serving,” added Mr Whelan.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald yesterday secured agreement at Cabinet for harsher penalties for burglars. She said she was determined that those who invade the lives of others are dealt with robustly.

“Burglary of a person’s home is very traumatic for the victim, is a serious offence and always has the danger to escalate into an offence against the person. It is the combination of the serious nature of the offence and the fact that burglars tend to be repeat offenders that warrants specific measures aimed at prolific burglars.”

Ms Fitzgerald is carrying out a review of the criminal justice system’s response to burglaries.

Her officials yesterday said she was preparing a broader Bail Bill which would focus on protecting individuals and the general public against the risk of offences committed by people on remand.

The latest annual Central Statistic Office statistics show burglaries have increased in the eastern region and Dublin areas.

Overall, the figures show nationally that there were 26,430 burglaries and related offences nationwide in the 12 months up to the middle of last year.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny yesterday told the Dáil that the new bail and sentencing rules were being introduced after evidence suggested that “a small number of people carry out an extensive number of burglaries”.

He also signalled that further reforms of the bail laws would be introduced at a later period.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil launched its own legislation to introduce a mandatory three years in jail for a second conviction of burglary and a minimum of seven years on a third conviction.

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