Garda boss backs laws to restrict bail for serial burglars

A senior Garda boss has backed laws going through the Oireachtas which aim to restrict bail to serial burglars and impose longer sentences.

It emerged yesterday the legislation, introduced by Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald, built on concerns expressed by Garda management, particularly in relation to refusing bail to recidivist burglars.

Rough figures produced by Garda crime analysts showed 75% of burglaries were being carried out by 25% of burglars.