Bring back corporal punishment to tackle gangs says Clare mayor

A county mayor on the western seaboard has called for corporal punishment to be introduced as a likely deterrent to criminal gangs targeting vulnerable rural dwellers.

Clare’s Jim Breen also claimed many of the thugs who could easily “leave victims for dead” are treated like royalty in the present justice system.

His comments came as Clare County Council members unanimously backed a motion calling for the Department of Justice to provide grant assistance to rural families seeking to buy home burglar alarms.

The mayor said: “I am very concerned that there are senior citizens in this county living in fear of their lives with the door and windows of their homes locked day and night.

“The reintroduction of some form of corporal punishment should be considered,” he said, after the monthly meeting ended. He also said: “Jail is not good enough for these people.”

Mr Breen, an independent councillor, said that some families in rural Clare are living in fear and are virtual prisoners in their own homes. At the same time, he said, when the perpetrators of crime are arrested and convicted, they are treated like “royalty” in the legal system.

“Those thugs, after they go into a home and leave you for dead, they are brought into jail and they are treated like royalty. It is time that this changed.

“I don’t know what form that this [corporal punishment] might take but it should be considered.”

Cllr Breen conceded that his proposal was likely to meet stiff opposition, especially from civil liberty bodies, but believed it was the right thing to do.

The Kilnamona councillor was elected to the Dáil as an Independent TD in 2002 but narrowly missed out on a seat in the 2007 and 2011 general elections. He is widely expected to contest next year’s election.

“I know I will get opposition to this idea, I have got it already — awful opposition to it.

“Opposition is grand if you are not affected yourself [by crime], but if someone belonging to you is left for dead inside in a house you might reconsider what you are talking about.

“I would appeal to people living on their own to never open their door to someone they don’t know and if they are in doubt, call the local garda station. Don’t let anyone into you house, regardless of what scam they are putting up, unless you are sure.”

Clare County Council fully backed a decision to write to Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald to ask that a scheme be put in place to help fund alarms in domestic dwellings.

As the mayor’s comment were made after the meeting, it’s unclear if the matter will be tabled at a motion at a later date.