Politics

Fitzgerald to publish burglary Bill to allow consecutive sentencing

Minister for Justice taking action after concerns raised over small cohort of criminals

Frances Fitzgerald will publish the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015. Photograph: Alan Betson
Frances Fitzgerald will publish the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015. Photograph: Alan Betson
Sarah Bardon
Mon Sept 07 2015 - 01:00

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald will today publish the heads of a Bill allowing for consecutive jail sentencing for burglars.

Ms Fitzgerald will publish Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill 2015 which will allow courts to refuse bail for offenders who have a previous conviction for burglary with two or more charges.

The Department of Justice is taking the initiative after concern was raised about the number of burglaries being carried out by a small cohort of people.

Figures from the Garda Síochána Analysis Service indicate 75 per cent of burglaries are committed by 25 per cent of burglars.