Longer sentences must be backed up by resources to catch burglars – Farrell

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal and member of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, Alan Farrell, has said today (Wednesday) that legislation planned by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, to allow for longer sentences for prolific burglars needs to be backed up by the resources to catch criminals.

“Fine Gael in Government is determined to ensure that burglary is punished and the legislation to allow for longer sentences for prolific burglars will deter repeat offenders. Any legislation needs to be matched by adequate resources to catch the offenders.

“We are determined that repeat offenders will receive longer sentences and we will free up prison space so that those who should be imprisoned are imprisoned.

“These actions need to be backed up by Garda resources getting to where they are needed most. We are putting more Gardaí on the streets; we’ve reopened Templemore after Fianna Fáil closed it. Another 250 recruits are entering training this year, in addition to the 300 who entered last September, bringing the total to 550. Also 370 new Garda vehicles came on stream at the beginning of this year and are being delivered on a weekly basis right across the country.

“Ongoing and significant Garda reform will also ensure that resources are allocated where they are most needed. The Government is commitment to upgrading Garda technology to bring outdated paper based practices into the 21st century.

“It is also essential that everything is done to ensure and enhance the integrity of crime statistics. The work being led by the CSO to review and enhance the production of crime statistics will provide important re-assurance to support the production of high quality crime statistics which are vital. This will also include ensuring that information being entered onto the Garda PULSE system is done so uniformly in all 563 Garda stations across the country.

“Fine Gael is determined to face down crime and criminals. We will do whatever it takes to achieve that while delivering a new level of understanding and compassion to victims.”