Rights of offenders’ children in focus

The interests of offenders’ children should be considered at sentencing, write Aisling Parkes and Fiona Donson.

LAST week, Niall Collins, Fine Fáil spokesman for justice, came under fire for intervening in the case of a father convicted of the possession of €18,000 worth of cannabis.

While some have questioned the appropriateness of his actions in light of the separation of powers, this practice is not unusual as the media has demonstrated in the aftermath of the episode.