Dublin North East Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

EXTRA GARDA RESOURCES NEEDED TO DEAL WITH INTRUDERS.

Published: 20 July, 2010

Commenting on the publication of the Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Bill 2010 Sinn Féin councillor Larry O'Toole has said he has no major problem with the thrust of the bill.

Cllr. O'Toole did say that he had concerns with the PR message coming from the Government with this bill.

He said:

"We need to be very careful that we don't send out a message that would encourage people to potentially risk their own safety by confronting intruders in their homes or on their property.

"While everybody is entitled to defend themselves it would always be advisable that a confrontation be avoided as much as possible and the Gardaí be called as a priority.

"The Government is deluding itself if it thinks that this bill will discourage burglars or intruders from entering private properties. This bill will not act as some sort of magic wand and make these crimes disappear.

"If the Government seriously wants to deal with this problem then it must prioritise funding for extra Garda resources to speed up response times. Commenting on the publication of the Criminal Law (Defence and the Dwelling) Bill 2010 Sinn Féin councillor Larry O'Toole has said he has no major problem with the thrust of the bill.