Vivian Geiran: When is enough punishment enough? 

After the bold and creative announcement by Minister Helen McEntee to expunge 600 convictions for offences related to the sale of sex, it is in all our interests that this is brought in for more offences in the wider review of the spent convictions legislation, writes Vivian Geiran

While the fact of having a criminal conviction in the first instance is damaging in itself, the real long-term damage to an individual arises from the fact that their criminal record will continue to ‘haunt’ them, and negatively impact their lives, for years to come. File photo

Defendants appearing before the criminal courts, particularly for the first time, frequently plead for an opportunity to avoid a formal conviction, on the basis of the impact such a criminal record might have on their life. 

An Garda Síochána recently issued strong warnings to young people regarding the dangers about getting involved – even unwittingly – with organised crime groups by agreeing to become so-called ‘money mules’ for those criminals. ‘Money mules’ are paid to allow their legitimate bank accounts to be used for illegal money-laundering.