Time to address the real problems if we are serious about fighting crime

Electronic tagging for people out on bail is nothing new. It’s this week’s mandatory minimum sentences — remember them, writes Michael Clifford

THE tradition of “fighting crime” with redundant but eye-catching initiatives had its latest outing this week. Electronic tagging is apparently the new panacea to tackle the perpetration of crime by people out on bail.

The measure was one of a number announced by Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald on Tuesday designed, she said, to strengthen the country’s bail laws.