Don’t press blindly ahead with ASBOS

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell’s stated intention to introduce British-style anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOS) in Ireland early next year smacks of a pre-election “get tough on crime” strategy by the PD leader.

According to a throw-away remark in a Dáil statement from the minister, he plans to introduce ASBOS for adults in January and to bring them in for young people by March.

With a general election looming next spring, there can be no doubt the PDs are hoping to cash in on the fact that crime is high on the agenda for many voters.