Laser attacks: Putting lives at risk

It is time people stopped illegally tampering with gas meters and putting pilots’ lives at risk. Both are lunatic-fringe offences.

Pilots in Irish airspace were the victims of 158 laser “attacks” in 2013. Beams of light were deliberately shone into their eyes with the intention of dazzling them. The figure includes 49 Air Corps pilots; 11 have been targeted so far this year. This is outrageous and absolutely crazy. When the culprits are nabbed, they should face the full rigours of the law. Under new legislation, that means a €50,000 fine or jail — and the key should be thrown away.

Meanwhile, just to save a few euro on their fuel bills, a lot of foolish people are tampering with gas meters. It is not an isolated practice. In the last 10 months, accor-ding to Bord Gáis, more than 500 cases were detected.