Cormac O'Keeffe: Minimum sentences well-meant but are they beneficial?

A report says there are gaps in the data and that 'no definitive position' could be reached in determining if there was a place for presumptive minimum sentences

Ireland does have three entirely mandatory sentences: For murder, capital murder (of a garda or prison officer in the course of their duty), and treason.

When minimum sentences for drug dealing and firearms offences were introduced, they were “well meant”, an official report has found.

The provisions aimed to hit those people responsible for poisoning local communities with heroin and driving an upsurge in gangland murders and shootings.