Bertie’s remarks ‘shocking and disgraceful’

THE comments by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, in the Dail debate on anti-social behaviour confirm the very real fears expressed by our members about the impact on civil liberties of the proposed Criminal Justice Bill.

The Taoiseach stated that “the Minister (for Justice) has, in this Criminal Justice Bill, adopted what will be regarded by many as a draconian position... these are very tough measures. People will be down to St Luke’s complaining about them. Parents do so now and say their Johnny is getting a rough time from the police. However, the reality is that if young people do not get a bit of a rough time from the police, we will never address these issues”.

These comments, we feel, are shocking and disgraceful.