Bill does not confer on homeowners a right to kill

I REFER to your front page story in yesterday’s edition (Dec 9) concerning the Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Bill 2010.

The story is a fair account of yesterday’s proceedings in Seanad Éireann and I welcome the efforts of journalists like Stephen Rogers to bring the work done in the Houses of the Oireachtas to the attention of your readers.

Unfortunately, the headline to the story “Bill To Give Homeowners Right To Kill Intruders” could give your readers the wrong impression about the purpose and effect of the bill.