Repeat burglars can be refused bail under new Bill

Repeat burglars could be refused bail under legislation introduced by Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald.

Ms Fitzgerald told the Dáil a large proportion of domestic burglaries were committed by serial offenders. Figures from the Garda analysis service indicated that about 75 per cent of property offences were committed by 25 per cent of offenders.

She said the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015 would allow a court to consider previous convictions in bail applications.

The Minister said burglary offences were considered serious under the Bail Act. “However, it is clear that prolific burglars with numerous previous convictions are repeatedly granted bail despite Garda objections even when charged with a series of burglaries.’’

She said the Bill’s provision, while making it clear that prolific burglars should be refused bail in certain circumstances, would leave the courts all necessary discretion to vindicate the constitutional rights of those applying for bail.

Ms Fitzgerald said the Bill also provided that the aggregate prison term for consecutive sentences imposed by the District Court could extend to but not exceed two years. No such restriction would apply to the Circuit Court.

She said the Bill also required a court to impose consecutive sentences in cases of multiple domestic burglary offences committed within a 12-month window.

Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Niall Collins welcomed the Bill, and said it would go some way towards addressing an appalling situation. Statistics showed the battle against crime was effectively being lost on a number of fronts.

Sinn Féin spokesman Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said while his party supported the Bill, it did not take away from the rise in assaults, sexual offences, theft, fraud and burglaries under the present administration.