Calls for homicide to carry minimum jail term

Fresh calls are being made for mandatory minimum sentencing for homicide offences after the Government took the surprise step of announcing such proposals for repeat sex offenders.

Advocates for the Victims of Homicide (AdVic) said that multiple calls it had made for such measures had been “knocked back” by the Government and asserted that mandatory minimum sentencing should be extended to homicide offences.

The Government’s announcement appears to mark a significant change in justice policy over successive administrations and is in stark contrast with department advice given only last month to Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan.